Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords works for responsible gun solutions
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly have launched a new group and website to battle the gun lobby. Surely if anyone can speak to gun violence, it would be Gabby Giffords.
From Americans For Responsible Solutions:
Dear fellow American, Two years ago, a mentally ill young man shot me in the head, killed six of my constituents, and wounded 12 others. Since that terrible day, America has seen 11 more mass shootings – but no response from Congress to prevent gun violence. After the massacre of 20 children and six of their teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary though, it’s clear: This time must be different. Americans for Responsible Solutions will encourage elected officials to stand up for solutions to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership by communicating directly with the constituents that elect them. Join us today, and tell your elected leaders that Americans are demanding responsible solutions to reduce gun violence.
The Giffords say that they both own guns and support the Second Amendment. They clearly state what they are looking for are RESPONSIBLE solutions to gun violence in America.
Congresswoman Gabby Giffords’ shooter receives 7 life sentences
Jared Loughner, the man who shot Rep. Gabby Giffords in the head and killed six others, was sentenced in Arizona today to 7 consecutive life sentences.
Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly, addressed the man directly with his wife at his side:
“Gabby would trade her own life for one you took on that day,” Kelly said of his wife, whose efforts to recover have inspired many people across the nation. “Every day is a continuous struggle to do the things she was once so very good at.”
“Mr. Loughner, you may have put a bullet through her head but you haven’t put a dent in her spirit and her commitment to make the world a better place,” Kelly said, according to media reports.
“You tried to create for all of us a world as dark and evil as your own,” said the former astronaut as he looked at Loughner. “But know this, and remember it always: You failed.
“You have decades upon decades to contemplate what you did. But after today, after this moment, here and now, Gabby and I are done thinking about you.”
The full text of Mark Kelly’s statement can be read here.
The shooting took place on January 8, 2011, during a routine political appearance.
After 31 shots were fired, 6 people were dead, and Giffords was critically injured.
Loughner was the only suspect. The only question focused on whether he would avoid the death penalty because of his mental health. After the shooting, Loughner was diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent forcible psychotropic drug treatments.
Gabby Giffords brings the house down leading Pledge of Allegiance at DNC 2012
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God bless Gabby Giffords.
To a standing ovation, and accompanied by her good friend, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords spiritedly led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Gabby Giffords resigns from the House of Representatives
So sad, but wishing her the best. Her spirit is beyond inspiring.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords steps down
Amazing strength, courage and character.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords leads memorial with Pledge of Allegiance
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords led a crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, her words ringing out across a cold Tucson night in a rare public appearance Sunday evening at a candlelight vigil one year after surviving a deadly shooting that killed six.
The Democratic congresswoman stepped onstage to cheers from the crowd. Ron Barber, a staffer who was wounded in a deadly shooting one year ago, invited her to lead the audience in the pledge.
The crowd chanted: “Gabby, Gabby.”
She limped to the podium, and husband Mark Kelly helped lift her left hand over her heart. After a year in which she has struggled to speak, Giffords recited the pledge with the audience, head held high and a smile on her face as she punched each word.
The remembrance at the University of Arizona capped off a day of events, including a church service that drew hundreds in the afternoon and a citywide bell-ringing at 10:11 a.m., the exact time a gunman started shooting at a Safeway political event.
With hugs and tears, southern Arizonans remembered the dead, the shattered lives and those who acted heroically after a gunman opened fire at an outdoor meet-and-greet that severely wounded Giffords and killed six.
PHOTO: Rep. Giffords attends husband’s retirement ceremony
(via CNN) Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona listens as her husband, Captain Mark Kelly, speaks at his retirement ceremony Thursday with Vice President Joe Biden in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
This is Giffords’ second trip to Washington as she recovers from a gunshot to the head that left her seriously wounded in January.
Congresswoman Giffords grants 1st interview to Diane Sawyer
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will give her first TV interview since being shot in January to Diane Sawyer of ABC News.
Giffords, who was shot while meeting with constituents on Jan. 8, will be interviewed with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly. ABC said Monday that the discussion will air as part of a prime-time special Nov. 14.
That’s the night before a book by Giffords and Kelly will be published. It’s titled “Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope.”
Giffords has slowly emerged as her recovery from the near-fatal brain injury continues. In August she appeared in Washington to vote on the debt ceiling bill.
(source: AP)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returns to House floor for Debt Ceiling vote
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the floor of the House today for the first time since being shot to attend and vote in favor of the Debt Ceiling bill.
