A reception and discussion with Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Captain Mark Kelly, Giffords Executive Director Peter Ambler, and Giffords Law Center Executive Director Robyn Thomas on the challenges posed by community-wide gun violence, how other countries have approached this challenge, and what lessons we can draw to pursue a safer society. This event is co-presented with the Giffords Law Center. Please note: event location will be released to confirmed attendees. This event is off the record.

As the youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate, Giffords represented her community in the Arizona Legislature from 2000-2005, and then in Congress from 2006-2012. On January 8, 2011, at a “Congress On Your Corner” event in Tucson with her constituents, Congresswoman Giffords was shot in the head from near point-blank range. In 2013, Congresswoman Giffords and her husband, Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, founded Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence as a way to encourage elected officials to stand up for safer communities.

Gun violence is a tragedy that affects the lives of people all over the world over. In some instances, this violence disproportionately impacts communities on the edge of society—including people of color, women, and other marginalized groups.

Featuring:

Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), U.S. House of Representatives (2006-2012)

Rep. Gabby Giffords represented Arizona’s 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2006-2012. Read more.

Captain Mark Kelly

Captain Mark Kelly, the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is a retired United States Navy combat veteran, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. Read more.

Peter Ambler, Executive Director, Giffords

In his capacity at Giffords, Peter Ambler oversees the organization’s political and advocacy strategies, among other areas. He serves as a spokesperson for the organization. Read more.

Robyn Thomas, Executive Director, Giffords Law Center

Robyn Thomas joined Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence as executive director in 2006. Robyn supervises Giffords Law Center’s work drafting and defending safer gun laws, as well as educating legislators about evidence-based gun policy. Under her leadership, Giffords Law Center has advanced a robust suite of policies that are proven to be most effective in solving our nation’s gun violence epidemic. Read more.

Co-presented with:

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