Gabby Giffords remembers El Paso Walmart shooting victims and survivors

WASHINGTON —GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement recognizing seven years since a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso. Twenty three people were killed and 22 more were injured in the shooting, in a racist attack targeting the Hispanic and immigrant communities. 

“My heart breaks for every victim of that terrible day, and for the friends and family members they left behind. This shooting should never have happened,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “The families who were impacted by this shooting deserve to still be with their loved ones. And now more than ever, Hispanic communities deserve to be protected as hate continues to divide our nation and threaten innocent lives. We must say no to this senseless violence. It is time for our leaders to take action and save lives.”

Texas currently has an “F” on GIFFORDS Annual Gun Law Scorecard. The state lacks commonsense gun safety measures like universal background checks, licensing requirements, assault weapon and large capacity magazine restrictions, and more.

The shooter purchased 1,000 rounds of ammunition and the assault-style firearm used in the shooting online. Currently, the Trump Administration is considering multiple new rules that would make it significantly easier to purchase guns online. One rule will end in-person background checks and in-store pick ups for online orders, reducing the chances employees will flag dangerous signs. Another rule will allow handgun shipments through USPS, making gun trafficking far easier. According to Reuters, Donald Trump Jr. “could reap a windfall” due to these changes, which would directly benefit the online gun retail company Grab-a-Gun, where he is a shareholder and board member.