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| Gabrielle Giffords launches gun control campaign | Gabrielle Giffords launches gun control campaign |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A former US congresswoman who survived a gunshot wound to her head during a mass shooting has launched a campaign against gun violence. | A former US congresswoman who survived a gunshot wound to her head during a mass shooting has launched a campaign against gun violence. |
| Gabrielle Giffords' Americans for Responsible Solutions initiative aims to raise money for gun control efforts. | Gabrielle Giffords' Americans for Responsible Solutions initiative aims to raise money for gun control efforts. |
| It comes as the White House holds talks with groups representing gun-owners, victims and the video game industry. | It comes as the White House holds talks with groups representing gun-owners, victims and the video game industry. |
| A school shooting in December that killed 20 children and six adults has fuelled debate over gun violence. | A school shooting in December that killed 20 children and six adults has fuelled debate over gun violence. |
| Ms Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly - both gun owners - wrote in USA Today on Tuesday: "In response to a horrific series of shootings... Congress has done something quite extraordinary - nothing at all." | Ms Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly - both gun owners - wrote in USA Today on Tuesday: "In response to a horrific series of shootings... Congress has done something quite extraordinary - nothing at all." |
| The couple also highlight the influence of the gun lobby, adding: "Achieving reforms to reduce gun violence and prevent mass shootings will mean matching gun lobbyists in their reach and resources." | The couple also highlight the influence of the gun lobby, adding: "Achieving reforms to reduce gun violence and prevent mass shootings will mean matching gun lobbyists in their reach and resources." |
| Giffords v NRA | Giffords v NRA |
| The initiative aims to counter the influence of powerful pro-gun groups such as the National Rifle Association, which in 2011 spent more money on lobbying than all gun control groups combined. | The initiative aims to counter the influence of powerful pro-gun groups such as the National Rifle Association, which in 2011 spent more money on lobbying than all gun control groups combined. |
| "Until now, the gun lobby's political contributions, advertising and lobbying have dwarfed spending from anti-gun violence groups. No longer," Ms Giffords wrote. | "Until now, the gun lobby's political contributions, advertising and lobbying have dwarfed spending from anti-gun violence groups. No longer," Ms Giffords wrote. |
| The couple make it clear they do not intend to take away guns from responsible owners, but the BBC's Paul Adams says their article is a declaration of war on one of the most powerful vested interests in America. | The couple make it clear they do not intend to take away guns from responsible owners, but the BBC's Paul Adams says their article is a declaration of war on one of the most powerful vested interests in America. |
| The launch of the initiative marks two years exactly since Ms Giffords was shot during a meeting with constituents in Tucson, Arizona. | The launch of the initiative marks two years exactly since Ms Giffords was shot during a meeting with constituents in Tucson, Arizona. |
| She is still recovering and her husband did most of the talking in the ABC interview. | |
| On Friday, the former congresswoman visited Newtown, Connecticut, where the elementary school shooting occurred, and met families of the victims. | On Friday, the former congresswoman visited Newtown, Connecticut, where the elementary school shooting occurred, and met families of the victims. |
| Connecticut Representative DebraLee Hovey, who represents Newtown in the state legislature, was criticised after she wrote on Facebook: "Gabby Gifford [sic] stay out of my towns!!" The politician has since apologised. | Connecticut Representative DebraLee Hovey, who represents Newtown in the state legislature, was criticised after she wrote on Facebook: "Gabby Gifford [sic] stay out of my towns!!" The politician has since apologised. |
| Ms Giffords and Mr Kelly also recently met New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a vocal gun control advocate. | Ms Giffords and Mr Kelly also recently met New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a vocal gun control advocate. |
| In the wake of last month's shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school, some pro-gun lawmakers have said they are reconsidering their views. | |
| But correspondents say that attention around the issue may have slipped as politicians focused on reaching a deal to avert tax rises and spending cuts that were due to take effect at the end of the year. Another round of deadlines looms at the end of March. | But correspondents say that attention around the issue may have slipped as politicians focused on reaching a deal to avert tax rises and spending cuts that were due to take effect at the end of the year. Another round of deadlines looms at the end of March. |
| The White House has pledged to look for ways to curb gun violence and is due to make proposals by the end of January. | The White House has pledged to look for ways to curb gun violence and is due to make proposals by the end of January. |
| Vice-President Joe Biden, who is leading the White House effort, is scheduled to meet gun violence victims groups and gun safety organisations on Wednesday. | |
| He is also due to hold discussions this week with the NRA and other gun-owner groups, as well as representatives from the entertainment industry. | |
| President Barack Obama has called on Congress to reinstate a ban on assault weapons, restrict availability of high-magazine clips and close a loophole allowing private gun sales to proceed without a background check. | President Barack Obama has called on Congress to reinstate a ban on assault weapons, restrict availability of high-magazine clips and close a loophole allowing private gun sales to proceed without a background check. |