In the aftermath of the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., is working with Democrats from the Sunshine State in calling for more gun control.
This week, through her PAC, Giffords announced that she was backing attorney David Shapiro who has garnered some national attention as he runs against U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.
“Far too many Florida families have mourned the loss of loved ones who were needlessly victimized by acts of gun violence. We need leaders like David Shapiro who are ready to act to change that,” said Giffords. “Since he announced his candidacy, David has been a vocal advocate for a meaningful plan that will protect our children from senseless gun violence. Florida deserves leaders in Congress that will take action to ensure our schools, streets, and neighborhoods are safe. That’s why we are so proud to support David for Congress.”
For his part, Shapiro said he welcome the support of Giffords, her PAC and her husband retired astronaut Mark Kelly.
“It is an honor to have the endorsement of Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly, and the Giffords PAC,” Shapiro said. “It seems incomprehensible that Congress had not addressed the need for gun safety when so many lives have been lost and so many more are at stake. Everyone who wants to buy a gun should go through a comprehensive background check to ensure they are not a danger to the community or themselves. We must ban assault weapons, designed for a single purpose, to kill a lot of people in a short amount of time. Finally, we must make sure that we close the gun show loopholes so that the laws that are passed cannot be circumvented. When I am elected to Congress this is what I pledge to fight for from day one. We must do better!”
Giffords has been pushing for candidates backing gun control measures through the #VoteCourage campaign her PAC is running.
Nor was that Giffords only connection with Democrats from Florida this week. On Friday morning, Giffords and Kelly appeared at a media event featuring students from Parkland and around the country talking about their personal experiences with school shootings and calling for more gun control. Also in attendance were U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla.
