Giffords, a national gun violence prevention organization, bashed former President Trump on Thursday for ignoring the deadly shooting after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade.
In a statement first provided to The Hill, Giffords argued that Trump, in his speech in South Carolina, aligned himself with the National Rifle Association (NRA) instead of condemning the shooting.
“All of Kansas City is grieving after a joyous celebration of a Super Bowl victory was ruined by gun violence. Speaking hours after one person was killed, at least 21 were injured, and thousands traumatized, Donald Trump ignored the shooting and reiterated his allegiance to the gun lobby,” said Chris Harris, Giffords vice president for communications.
Trump held a rally in South Carolina on Wednesday, just 10 days out from the state’s GOP primary, where he told supporters he will “fully uphold our great Second Amendment” if he is elected to another term.
Earlier that day, a shooter in Kansas City, Mo., opened fire shortly after the victory parade and killed at least one person and injured more than 20 more, including at least eight children.
Giffords noted Trump has also said people should “get over” the Iowa school shooting last month and that he bragged that gun dealers like him in a speech at a NRA gun show last week.
“As a proud Kansas City area native and lifelong Chiefs fan, it’s clear we need leaders who recognize our country has an epidemic of gun violence and have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby. I’m grateful President Biden is using his platform to comfort our city and fight for solutions to stop this endless bloodshed,” Harris said in the statement.
Giffords, which was founded by gun violence survivor and former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), has endorsed President Biden’s reelection campaign. Biden received early endorsements from the four major gun violence prevention groups, which also include Everytown for Gun Safety, Community Justice Action Fund, and Brady.
Biden on Wednesday night renewed calls for gun violence prevention legislation after the shooting. He has consistently called for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of guns, end gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability and enact universal background checks.
Congress passed a bipartisan gun safety bill that Biden signed into law in June 2022. While the gun violence prevention movement has been supportive of Biden’s efforts on gun control, it considers them to be first steps.