Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: Hillary Clinton Will ‘Stand Up to the Gun Lobby'

Giffords and her husband spoke at the DNC nearly five years years after she was shot in the state she represented in Congress

Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman nearly killed in a 2011 shooting, told the Democratic National Convention Wednesday that she believes Hillary Clinton will reform gun laws in the U.S.

"Speaking is difficult for me. But come January, I want to say these two words: Madam President," Giffords said.

Joining Giffords on the convention stage was her husband, Mark Kelly, as they talked about the need to challenge the gun lobby and place new restrictions on firearms.

Giffords called Hillary Clinton — the Democratic nominee for president — "tough" and "courageous," and Giffords said Clinton, as president, will "stand up to the gun lobby."

Giffords was shot in the head at a campaign rally. She has a language disorder known as aphasia and speaks in short phrases or words, but she has nevertheless gone skydiving and hiked the Grand Canyon after the shooting. She's also supported gun reform legislation.

Her remarks at the DNC received a standing ovation.

Her speech came after Democrats paid tribute to the victims of the June attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

The National Rifle Association plans to begin airing a 30-second ad on Thursday saying Americans' "right to own a gun for self-defense is at risk in this election," and that Clinton will take away gun owners' rights.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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