Gabrielle Giffords And Husband Launch Anti-Gun Violence Campaign
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: January 8, 2013
PEORIA - On the two year anniversary of her attempted assassination, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and husband Mark Kelly are pushing for stricter gun laws. The new campaign is called "Americans for Responsible Solutions."
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly are remembering a tragic day with a powerful message, and they are not alone.
Giffords and Kelly are creating a new platform for change. They're both gun owners and have experienced gun violence first hand.
Now, they're demanding a tougher stance on gun control.
Their website has this message. "Americans for Responsible Solutions will encourage elected officials to stand up for solutions to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership."
They say the drive starts in local communities, with people who believe the couple's efforts are a step in the right direction.
East Peoria resident Elaine Kasky said, "Maybe she can find a resolution for who gets guns and this activist group to help people in their day to day lives and how to deal with guns in a family."
Peoria resident Eric Daniels said, "Guns of the street. That's the problem in this country, guns needs to be off the streets."
Peoria resident Craig Kowalski said, "I use guns, I enjoy guns, but I do think that it is too easy to get your hands on some of the guns. I think there should be steps taken with Congress to restrict guns. I'm not saying guns need to be taken away but yes, it's too easy to get a gun."
Giffords and Kelly hope their campaign will prompt a response from Congress. One that U.S. Senator Dick Durban said is in the works. Durbin said, "We ought to have some decent and enforceable standards so that guns under the Second Amendment are in the hands of the people who use them responsibly. We should do everything we can to reach that goal."
Giffords and Kelly said they hope their campaign will gain as much lobbying power as the national Rifle Association. You can read more about their campaign here - www.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org.
We reached out to several local NRA members and did not get a response.
