For the first time since President Barack Obama introduced his sweeping comprehensive gun-control reform, the debate gets its first congressional hearing.
And the frontrunners on gun reform are coming out to plead their case.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who survived a shot to the head two years ago during an assassination attempt that left six people dead, was among those slated to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She briefly spoke before the hearing began:
“Speaking is difficult but I need to say something important. Violence is a problem. Too many children are dying…too many children. We must do something. It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold, be courageous. Americans are counting on you. Thank you.”
Gabby’s husband, Mark Kelly, also joined her. Both have been extremely vocal about stricter gun-control laws in the wake of Gifford’s shooting and the mass shootings that have riddled the country in the past year.
On the gun activist side, National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre also attended the hearing.
In a prepared testimony released Tuesday, LaPierre made the case that gun-control efforts should be focused on strengthening school security and mental health resources, not banning assault rifles.
“Law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals, nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully own and use to protect our families,” LaPierre will say. “We need to be honest about what works and what does not work. Proposals that would only serve to burden the law-abiding have failed in the past and will fail in the future.”
The NRA also sent an email to urge supporters to attend the hearing.
“You can bet the anti-gunners will be trying to mobilize their supporters to pack the hearing room,” the email read, “so we need to make sure the room is filled with supporters of the Second Amendment!”
But Kelly also sent an email on behalf of gun-control advocates and Giffords.
He said he will use his testimony today to advocate for universal background checks and a ban on high-capacity magazines, and asked supporters to sign an online petition urging Congress to take up the measures.
Looks like this is going to get ugly! We’ll keep you updated!
SOURCE: CBS
