WASHINGTON -- The last member of Congress to be shot while in office was former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), shot in the head by a would-be assassin during a strip-mall meet-and-greet with constituents in her home district on Jan. 8, 2011.
Giffords weathered an arduous recovery period, resigning from Congress a year after the shooting. She and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, became gun-control advocates and founded Americans for Responsible Solutions.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot in the hip and was in criticalcondition after this morning's attack on a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va.Rep. Roger Williams' (R-Texas) aide Zachary Barth, Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika and two Capitol Police officers were also wounded: David Bailey and Krystal Griner. Mika was reportedly in critical condition.
The gunman, James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill., had been arrested in 2006 for attacking his daughter and her friend, and threatening the friend's boyfriend with a 12-gauge shotgun. The Belleville News-Democratalsoreported that on March 24 neighbors called police on Hodgkinson shooting in the woods behind his home; cops found he had a valid firearms permit.
Hodgkinson was wounded by the officers and later died.
It doesnt matter if youre a Democrat or a Republican, nor if youre a senator or a representative, nor a staffer or a sworn officer. If you serve the institution of Congress, youre connected to your colleagues, current and former, by a shared sense of service to ideals far greater than yourself. This shooting is an attack on all who serve and on all who participate in our democracy," Giffords said in a statement issued by Americans for Responsible Solutions.
I am heartbroken for the pain of Congressman Scalise, the other victims, and their family, friends, and colleagues who survived. I am thankful for the great courage of the Capitol Police, who were my protectors after I was shot and became my friends. I also know the courage it takes to recover from a shooting like this, and I know Steve and everyone there this morning have such courage in great supply," she added.
May all Americans come together today with prayers for the survivors, love for their friends and family, and the courage to go about everyday making this country its best. Our nation is resilient, and we always come back stronger.
Dan Gross of theBrady Campaignto Prevent Gun Violencesaid in a statement that"all Americans, including our elected leaders, should live in an environment where they can pursue everyday activities without fear of being shot."
"Far too many Americans know what its like to be shot or have a loved one killed by gun violence," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said she was "devastated by this mornings shooting tragedy," and added that "Americans should be able to play baseball, dance in a nightclub, and attend religious services without the threat of gun violence. We all deserve better."
See the original post:
Giffords Leaves Gun Control Out of Reaction to Scalise Shooting - PJ Media