Giffords PAC increases effort against guns
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is stepping up her effort to place more restrictions on gun ownership ahead of the president's State of the Union address.
PETER O’DOWD: Giffords, and husband Mark Kelly, produced a 30-second commercial through their political action committee. They formed Americans for Responsible Solutions to push for gun laws that would put limits on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, and expand background checks for gun purchases. The ad was released Monday in advance of the president’s annual State of the Union Address.
GIFFORDS [ON COMMERICAL]: We have a problem where we shop, where we pray, where our children go to school. There are solutions we can agree on. Even gun owners like us. Take it from me. Congress must act. Let’s get this done.
O’DOWD: Giffords was severely injured two years ago when a gunman shot her in the head during a congressional event in Tucson. But her message will not resonate with Arizonans who don’t want Congress to place restrictions on gun ownership. Carl Bates works at a Phoenix movie theater. He says he wants the President to address the issue in Tuesday’s speech, but Bates doesn’t want to lose his Second Amendment rights.
CARL BATES: My father was shot. And that’s the only thing that really hits home to me. People have the rights to protect themselves – arm themselves. And I just think with better education with guns, you realize it’s not the guns that are bad. It’s the people that’s bad.
O’DOWD: In a statement on their organization’s website, Giffords says she and her husband will attend Tuesday’s State of the Union speech.
