How Gabby Giffords is grappling with the rise in political violence

Summary

Introduction: A Surge in Political Violence

In the latest episode of NPR's Consider This, host Mary Louise Kelly delves into the alarming rise of political violence in the United States, spotlighting the tragic assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. The attack, carried out by an individual impersonating a police officer, underscores a disturbing trend. As Kelly narrates, "Last weekend, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband Mark, were shot and killed at their home" (00:00).

Gabby Giffords: From Tragedy to Advocacy

Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona Congresswoman who survived a near-fatal shooting in 2011, emerges as a central figure in this narrative. After being shot in the head at a constituent event, Giffords' life took a dramatic turn. Despite severe injuries that left her unable to speak fluently and limited the use of her right side, she has transformed her personal tragedy into a relentless fight for gun control. "Our lives can change so quickly. Mine did when I was shot... I'm fighting to make the country safer" (01:48).

The Recent Minnesota Shooting: A Painful Echo

The recent shooting in Minnesota, which resulted in six fatalities and injuries to 13 others, including Giffords herself, is a stark reminder of the persistent threat of political violence. Kelly highlights the gravity of the situation: "Police say he shot 14 others, including the congresswoman, before bystanders tackled him" (00:57). The assailant's arsenal, which included multiple AK-47s, raises urgent questions about existing gun laws and their enforcement.

Giffords' Enduring Commitment to Gun Safety

In the aftermath of the Minnesota tragedy, Giffords remains unwavering in her commitment to gun safety advocacy. During the interview, she shares her enduring hope and determination: "Hope and faith. Hope and faith" (05:22), a mantra she reiterated at the 10-year anniversary of the Charleston shooting. Her resilience is further exemplified by her participation in fundraising efforts aimed at combating gun violence, underscoring her dedication to preventing such atrocities in the future.

Legislative Progress and Ongoing Challenges

The episode also reflects on the significant strides made in gun safety legislation over the past decade. "In that period of time, we've passed over 700 laws at the state level to further gun safety" (08:26). However, despite these advancements, gaps remain, as evidenced by the Minnesota case where the perpetrator had no prior criminal history that would have triggered a background check red flag. Giffords emphasizes the need for more comprehensive laws and stricter enforcement to close these loopholes.

Personal Reflections: Lessons from Adversity

When asked about her 14-year journey since the shooting, Giffords offers profound insights: "To be grateful for friends and family and to live every day to the fullest... Hope" (09:51). Her personal narrative is a testament to resilience, emphasizing the importance of support systems and maintaining optimism in the face of relentless challenges.

The Broader Impact of Giffords' Advocacy

Emma Brown, Executive Director of Giffords, shares the organization's perspective on the progress made and the road ahead. She notes the paradox of public perception regarding gun legislation: "Just like you don't think about hope when you think about guns in America, you don't think about progress" (08:26). Brown highlights the effectiveness of state-level laws in reducing gun-related deaths and reiterates the importance of continued advocacy and legislative efforts.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Hope and Determination

The episode culminates with a reaffirmation of Giffords' commitment to her cause. "Move ahead to not look back... hope are inspired to keep moving forward no matter what" (06:04). Her enduring message is one of hope, faith, and relentless pursuit of a safer, more secure America. As political violence continues to threaten the nation's democratic fabric, voices like Giffords' offer a beacon of resilience and a call to action for meaningful change.

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This summary captures the essence of the NPR Consider This episode on Gabby Giffords' ongoing battle against political violence, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the unwavering spirit of advocacy in the face of adversity.

Transcript

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Last weekend, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband Mark, were shot and killed at their home. A targeted attack by a man impersonating a police officer. The attack comes amid a rise in political violence. Last year alone, Capitol Police investigated more than 9,000 threats against members of the U.S. congress. This week, an email landed in my inbox. Subject line, an assassination in Minnesota. The email was a fundraising pitch to support efforts by Democrats to fight gun violence. What caught my eye was who was making the pitch. Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman, who, as her email notes, knows the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. County's going to be working a shooting.

[Gabby Giffords]

We've been informed Gabrielle Giffords is involved.

[Emma Brown]

The shooting left six people dead, including.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

A federal judge and a 9 year.

[Emma Brown]

Old girl, and injured 13 others, including Gabby Giffords.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Police say he shot 14 others, including the congresswoman, before bystanders tackled him. In 2011, Giffords, a Democrat, was shot in the head at a constituent event outside Tucson. Since then, Giffords has dedicated her life to calling for action on gun control.

[Gabby Giffords]

I'm Gabby Giffords. I'm from Tucson, Arizona. January 8, 2011 changed my life forever. I was a congresswoman. I was shot in my head while me was my constituent. I couldn't walk, I couldn't talk.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

That's Giffords speaking with me in 2022 after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. She has recovered from her wounds, but Giffords does not have full use of the right side of her body and she struggles with speech, with language.

[Gabby Giffords]

Our lives can change so quickly. Mine did when I was shot, but I never gave hope. I chose to make a new start, to move ahead, to not look back. And I'm fighting to make the country safer. It can be so difficult, but I tell myself, move ahead.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

She co founded Giffords, an advocacy group that has worked to promote gun safety for 12 years now.

[Gabby Giffords]

When people care for each other and work together, progress is possible. A better world is possible.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Gabby Giffords was friends with Melissa Hortman. In a post on Instagram honoring Hortman, Giffords wrote, we must protect our democracy from those who try to destroy it with a gun. Consider this. The targeted killings of Representative Hortman and her husband last weekend are the latest in a cascade of political violence in this country. How is a gun safety advocate who's experienced these horrors firsthand grappling with this moment? From npr, I'm Mary Louise Kelly. It's Consider this from npr. Gabby Giffords has struggled with talking since she was shot outside A Safeway in Tucson in 2011. Since then, she's dedicated her life to fighting for gun safety through her advocacy group, Giffords. She joins me now along with Emma Brown, executive director of Giffords. Welcome to you both.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Thanks so much for having us.

[Gabby Giffords]

Thank you very much.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

And I want to add a note on how we are doing this interview. The Giffords team suggested that we pose specific questions in a specific way to enable Gabby Giffords to give fuller answers. So what you are about to hear is me asking some of those questions and then when needed, following up and asking additional questions of our own. I want to start with Melissa Hortman, who is the, who was the Minnesota lawmaker who was killed along with her husband, Gabby Giffords. I know that you were friends with her.

[Gabby Giffords]

Yes, Melissa Horton. Perfect, perfect, perfect.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Yeah. Gabby met Melissa several years ago when we were working to pass gun safety legislation in Minnesota. So when she was the speaker of the Minnesota House, she and Governor Walz helped us get a red flag law passed in Minnesota as well as an expanded background checks law. It is a really devastating loss that obviously also hits very close to home for Gabby and for the origins of this organization.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Speaking of getting legislation passed, this month marks the three year anniversary of the passage of the bipartisan Safer Communities act, which enhanced background checks for young gun buyers. It increased funding for mental health services. It did a bunch of other things. Congresswoman, are you optimistic about further meaningful change on this issue?

[Gabby Giffords]

I'm optimistic. It will be a long hard haul, but I'm optimistic.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

You know, this week on Tuesday was actually also the 10 year anniversary of the Charleston shooting. So Gabby and I actually were in Charleston to mark the 10 years with Mother Emanuel AME Church and Gabby, Gabby got up at the service and Gabby, do you want to share what you said?

[Gabby Giffords]

Hope and faith. Hope and faith. Hope and faith.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Hope and faith. We think about the tragedies that pile up from guns in America and often the last thing people think of is hope and faith. But it's hard. It is really hard, you know, but I was sitting there in that church on Tuesday and Gabby was up at the pulpit and she said hope and faith. And you could hear the room inhale.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Yeah. I started this conversation by talking about the email, the fundraiser email that I received from you, Congresswoman, this week. And you signed that email with courage, which says a lot. Do you, do you not ever want to give up?

[Gabby Giffords]

No way, Jose. Move ahead to not look back. I hope are inspired to keep moving forward no matter what.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

You know, Gabby says the words move Ahead a lot. It's part of a lot of her speeches, part of the words that she has relearned. And there's actually a little bit of an origin story to that, if you'd permit me telling it. When Gabi was a kid and a teenager, she loved theater, specifically musical theater. And one of her favorite shows was.

[Gabby Giffords]

Annie the Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, so you gotta hang on till tomorrow.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

That one.

[Gabby Giffords]

Come what may. Woohoo.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

That's right, that one. Yeah.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

That's very good clapping. Yeah.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Yeah. And so she and her mom, Gloria, would sing that to one another when she was a kid. And then when Gabby was shot, you know, she was in a coma for some days after the shooting, and her mom, Gloria, sat by her bed and held her hand and sang to her, you know, tomorrow, Tomorrow. And that essence, you know, of the hope that there may be a tomorrow that is different, the courage to move ahead, is really at the core of the work that we do and how Gabby approaches the work. And as a side note, the bullet that entered her brain impacted her ability to speak. You know, she wants to. She knows what she wants to say, but she can't get the words out. It actually didn't impact her musical ability.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

No.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Which is a miracle. I can tell. So she has perfect. She has perfect tune, far better than I do. And her recall and her ability to sing has remained untouched.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

And maintaining hope in the face of the shooting after shooting after shooting in this country is beautiful. I will note that the last time we spoke, that was three years ago, and that was in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 people dead. We are here today because of the deadly shootings in Minnesota. Investigators in Minnesota are still trying to figure out what the motive may have been. We do know that the man who has been charged had multiple guns in his vehicle.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

He had multiple AK47s in his vehicle.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

There is no evidence, though, that they were acquired illegally. There's no criminal history that would have raised a red flag and prevented. Prevented the purchase. What laws would have prevented this? What laws would you like to see changed?

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Yeah, it's a great question.

[Gabby Giffords]

Better gun laws and background checks.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Yeah, that's right.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

But there was nothing in his background that would have, as I say, set off a red flag.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Right, yeah. So there's still a lot to understand about the details of the shooting, but I think we need to ask ourselves, how is it that somebody who was that dangerous, who had a list of legislators on him, who was driving to their homes to hunt and kill them, was allowed to roll around with at least three AK47s and a handgun and military gear. So that, I think, is the fundamental question. And your question about what policies would have prevented this is a good one. And I think we'll know more about that as we get more details on this. And Gabby, I think one thing we would also just point out is that something that surprises people a lot about this issue is how much progress we've made. Just like you don't think about hope when you think about guns in America, you don't think about progress. But in actuality, you know, Gabby founded this organization 12 years ago. And in that period of time, we've passed over 700 laws at the state level to further gun safety. And you just heard her say better gun laws. And that's because, you know, in states that have stronger gun laws, fewer people are dying. That's been proven.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Now, last question, and this is for you, Gabby Giffords, and it's about the long view. It has been 14 years since you were injured. What have you learned from your experiences over those 14 years?

[Gabby Giffords]

To be grateful for friends and family and to live every day to the fullest.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Hope. Hope.

[Gabby Giffords]

Hope.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Yeah. That is former Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Emma Brown, the executive director of Giffords, the advocacy group she co founded to promote gun safety. Thank you to you both.

[Unnamed Giffords Team Member]

Thank you for having us.

[Emma Brown]

Thank you.

[Gabby Giffords]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

This episode was produced by Lauren Hodges and Mia Venkat with audio engineering by Ted Mevane. It was edited by Justine Kennan, Adam Raney and Nadia Lancy. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. Thanks to our CONSIDER THIS plus listeners who support the work of NPR journalists and help keep public radio strong. Supporters also hear every episode without messages from sponsors. You can Learn more at plus.NPR.org It's Consider this from NPR. I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

[Emma Brown]

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