Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Gabby Giffords Makes Surprise Appearance at Senate Hearing on Gun Violence

Posted By on Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 9:21 AM

Gabby Giffords made a brief statement calling on senators to take on the issue of gun violence today at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

TPM reports that Giffords told senators:


Thank you for inviting me here today. This is an important conversation for our children, for our communities, for Democrats and Republicans. Speaking is difficult, but I need to say something important. Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. It will be hard but the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you. Thank you.

Giffords' husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, had four suggestions for the committee:


First, fixed on background checks. Zero holes and hour laws making a mockery of the background checks in our system. Congress should close the private sales loophole and the dangers people entered into that system.

Second, remove the limitations on collecting data and conducting scientific research on gun violence.

Enact a tough federal gun trafficking statute, this is really important.

Finally, let's have a careful and civil conversation about the lethality of firearms we permit to be legally bought and sold in this country.

Tags: , , , , , ,