Former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was seriously injured in a 2011 shooting rampage, visited Connecticut on Thursday to help protect women from gun violence.
After a lengthy recovery from serious injuries, Giffords has become an unrelenting advocate for what she calls responsible gun laws. Today her campaign brought her to West Hartford as part of the Protect All Women tour, a national initiative focused on her campaign for stronger gun laws to defend women against gun violence.
“Dangerous people with guns are a threat to women,” Giffords said at a roundtable discussion at West Hartford’s Kingswood Oxford school on Thursday.
She was joined by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and more than a dozen legislators and leaders in the fields of domestic violence and law enforcement.
“The message is very simple: Enough,” said Blumenthal.
Connecticut was the third stop on Giffords’ tour. The former congresswoman plans to visit nine states in nine days to raise awareness and encourage women to speak up, since the prevalence of domestic violence and the availability of guns often makes for a deadly combination.
“Women can lead the way. We stand for common sense. We stand for responsibility,” Giffords said.
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Giffords is a co-founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions, which seeks to reduce gun violence and increase “sensible’ gun control legislation. She encouraged those on hand not to give up the fight, regardless of the setbacks.
“We can change our laws. We can win elections,” she said. “Please join your voice with mine.”
