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Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 12:31 PM UTC

Giffords on gun vote: The Senate “gave in to fear”

In an Op-Ed for the New York Times, Gabrielle Giffords railed against the Senate for blocking background checks

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Topics: Gabrielle Giffords, Gun Control, U.S. Senate, background checks, Arizona,

Giffords on gun vote: The Senate (Credit: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wrote a powerful Op-Ed for the New York Times railing against the Senate for failing to pass a background checks measure on Wednesday, writing that “These senators made their decision based on political fear and on cold calculations about the money of special interests like the National Rifle Association.”

From the Op-Ed:

I watch TV and read the papers like everyone else. We know what we’re going to hear: vague platitudes like “tough vote” and “complicated issue.” I was elected six times to represent southern Arizona, in the State Legislature and then in Congress. I know what a complicated issue is; I know what it feels like to take a tough vote. This was neither. These senators made their decision based on political fear and on cold calculations about the money of special interests like the National Rifle Association, which in the last election cycle spent around $25 million on contributions, lobbying and outside spending.

“Speaking is physically difficult for me,” Giffords continued. “But my feelings are clear: I’m furious. I will not rest until we have righted the wrong these senators have done, and until we have changed our laws so we can look parents in the face and say: We are trying to keep your children safe.”

Read the full Op-Ed here.

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com. More Jillian Rayfield.

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