Gabrielle Giffords meets with Conn. families

Former Ariz. congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has met with families of the victims of the Connecticut school massacre that left 26 people dead. / CBS News

Updated 7:21 PM ET

NEWTOWN, Conn. Nearly two years after being critically wounded in a mass shooting, former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Friday met with families of victims in last month's shooting that left 26 people dead inside a Connecticut elementary school.

Giffords was accompanied by her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, at the private meeting in Newtown that was also attended by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

"As always, I was deeply impressed by the strength and courage and resolve of the families and the extraordinary caring and generosity of Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly in visiting with them," Blumenthal said.

Giffords met earlier in the day with officials including Connecticut's lieutenant governor and Newtown's first selectman.

Blumenthal said he is eager to find allies as he pursues tougher gun control laws.

"I'm hopeful that everyone who cares about this issue or has a stake in it will be active in supporting our effort in gun violence prevention legislatively," he said.

• Conn. lt. gov.'s office: Giffords meeting planned

Giffords was left partially blind, with a paralyzed right arm and brain injury, when a gunman opened fire at a constituent meet-and-greet outside a Tucson grocery store on Jan. 8, 2011. Arizona's chief federal judge and five others were killed and 13 people, including Giffords, were injured.

The gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, pleaded guilty to 19 federal charges and was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences, plus 140 years.

Kelly said on the day of the Newtown shooting that it should lead to better gun control.

"This time our response must consist of more than regret, sorrow, and condolence," Kelly said on his Facebook page, calling for "a meaningful discussion about our gun laws and how they can be reformed and better enforced to prevent gun violence and death in America."

Giffords' visit comes one day after Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the creation of an advisory commission that will review and recommend changes to state laws and policies on issues including gun control in the wake of the Dec. 14 rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The gunman, Adam Lanza, shot and killed his mother, then drove to the school and slaughtered 20 first-graders and six educators before committing suicide as police arrived.

Giffords has appeared in public a few times since the shooting. She came face-to-face with Loughner when he was sentenced in November and attended ceremonies for the anniversary of the shooting.

CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod reported that Giffords and Kelly on Wednesday meet with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a vocal supporter of stricter gun control laws.

She received tributes and ovations when she returned to the House in January 2012 to say goodbye as she resigned her seat and she delivered the Pledge of Allegiance at the Democratic National Convention in September.

President Barack Obama invoked the Tucson and Newtown elementary school shootings when he spoke at Newtown shortly after the attack. He said four shootings, including those two plus the attacks at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin and at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, marked his first term in office.

A recent Pew Research Center report says gun policy accounted for almost 30 percent of discussions examined on blogs and Twitter in the three days after the school massacre. It compares the response to the Newtown rampage with the Arizona shooting, saying that in the three days after that, just 3 percent of social media conversation was about gun laws.

[tacticalguy_sf]

@BWB2020
LOL. Needed to do some work did you? That's funny. I didn't have to make much of an effort to make my argument. It was easy. I am indeed pleased that you and your coworkers were able to enjoy my response. Let's see if I can continue to entertain you. You are not really very bright, I'm afraid. You continue to miss the point of my statements to focus on what I wasn't saying. But, I digress, let's account for your statements.
1) "Since when has curare ever been designed with multiple rapid-firing delivery systems, for the express purpose of killing as many humans as possible in the shortest time, and with the maximum degree of ease?" So, now you're a fully accredited researcher in antique weapons systems and their strategic uses? I've been to many Central and South American countries in the U.S. Army and seen some of the recently re-discovered tribes that are still at a basic Stone Age of development. Guess what? They still use curare dipped arrows and darts. What is the most effective tactic to stop a large mass of enemy charging at you? That's right, they all loose their arrows and darts at the same time. Ever seen what 10-15 warriors loosing arrows look like? Don't like that fact?
2) "What life-saving medicines have been extracted from bullets?"
I was showing intent. The same weapons that you declare to be only weapons of mass murder are also owned by people who only take them to target shoot and keep them for home defense. Not everyone lives within a 2-3 minute police response time. Then, there are also the people that believe, that as citizens of this country and in keeping with the statements of Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers, that a country strong enough to give you everything you want is also powerful enough to take all that you have. Now, personally I'm not one of them. I believe in working within the framework of the Constitution to effect peaceful change mandated by the majority of my fellow citizens.
3) "Apparently you go hunting small, or medium-sized game with high-capacity weapons." I'm guessing here but, I bet that you think that a rifle with a 20-30rd magazine is high capacity, huh? You're going to be absolutely dismayed to find out about the 50, 75 and even 100rd drums that are available out there.
4) "Even an avid sportsman would not call that hunting, and the lead-poisoned, shredded carcasses you make would hardly be fit for eating, (though it is possible, judging by your post, that your parents fed you such met when you were young) and bullet-hole-riddled skins would hardly be valuable for making clothing, shelter, or any of the other useful items once made from animal skins." Thank you. You just proved one of my earlier points that you're not a hunter. Hunting is about eating what you kill but, it's also about the skill of the stalk and the "one shot, one kill" ethos. I also dearly LOVE the oh-so-subtle dig about lead poisoning triggering psychosis. You're unable to have a reasoned argument without being juvenile. Then, you accuse me of being perverse. You are indeed a piece of work.

[tacticalguy_sf]

5) "And yes, you gun nuts do practice your shooting against targets that represent your fellow man, just waiting for a justification to replace your paper representations with the real thing." What a sad, sad world you inhabit. I don't think that you like your fellow man that much. I'd say that you're actually very fearful. Anyone that owns a firearm is a gun nut, huh? Or is that just the gun owners who disagree with your opinions on gun control? As far as justification to use my weapon? I am a state licensed, armed security officer in South Florida. I carry a weapon for a living. I've worked in section 8 housing and been a bodyguard out on Palm Beach for some of this country's most well-known billionaires. I'm not in the least eager to pull the trigger of my firearm. I've been in combat and seen the results of high velocity lead rounds entering the human body.
6) "You can try to spin it any way you want, but any sentient human watching those of your ilk shooting at paper on which a human shape is printed, knows what it is for which you are practicing and dreaming." I feel very sorry for you.
7) "While I do believe in the right to own arms, I do also support measures to ban any permutations of such weapons that are designed only for one purpose, which is to more easily kill as many people as possible in the shortest time." I don't actually believe that you do feel that way about the right to bear arms. I'd be willing to bet that you're one of those people that feels that man and this country has evolved far enough that the 2nd Amendment is just an outdated part of the Constitution. I live in the real world where bad things happen to good people. Where armed robberies, home invasions, muggings, rapes and car-jackings happen, every single day. I believe that all of those people have the right to defend themselves.
8) WMDs, huh? I can't even dignify that with a measured response.

Interestingly enough, just for your edification, I voted for Obama, for the second time. I support green energy investment and protecting the environment and animals by donating to various charities. I also happen to like to hunt, own weapons and go to the range. I'm a firearm owning, concealed carry permitted Democrat who has devoted a portion of his life to protecting the rights of the people in this nation to voice their opinion in just this fashion. So, you go ahead and continue to yammer on in your safe little fantasy world.

[tacticalguy_sf]

@vicweast
I seem overly aggressive in my response? You seem to be cherry-picking my responses, then. My first response to this story was anything but, aggressive. Simply part of an informed discourse on the topic of gun control. BWB2020 changed that, not answering my statements but, by making a personal attack. I responded in a measured fashion.

[vicweast]

As a gun owner, it pains me that I share an interest with people who --by the comment statistics-- seem overwhelmingly both cold hearted and a little delusional.

This is an observation from not only this comment page but by myself attending gun shows and in my civil discussions with other owners. That the personal desire to own a gun should generate such distorted views is not a positive situation. If you do not understand what I am getting at with this comment: Read these comment threads again and apply a cold analytical eye, rather than an emotional lens; Walk through a gun show and read what the literature and tee shirts proclaim--it is not a display of balanced notions.

And yes, I am a gun owner--but no, I do not want to be surrounded by "citizens" who are armed to the teeth and who seem to be so easily provoked into making ugly and unpleasant comments... give that some thought if you will.

[tacticalguy_sf]

@BWB2020
Really? So, you want to discuss intent? LMAO! Let's go with your argument for a minute, then. All of the items that are intended to be used for death and destruction and are used for good reasons, instead. Ever heard of curare? It's a poison that was first used by tribal South American Indians as a way of killing food and enemies. It was discovered in 1935 that it could be a used as an anesthetic as well as almost a hundred years earlier being used to treat tetanus. How about foxglove? This was traditionally a poison, also. From it, we get digitalis which has been treating thousands of atrial fibrillation patients for years as Digoxin. Would you like me to go on? I do have more of a list.
It's funny how certain people that feel they're better educated than the average person love to retreat into specious arguments hiding behind buzzwords. My target analysis? You mean analogy? Targets can be representative of ANY thing. But, I see where you're going. All of us "gun nuts" are just looking for the opportunity to shoot another person, even if it's just a paper person, huh? Your bias is showing, badly. "Small or medium game is not the objective of semi-automatic, or automatic weapons with high-capacity magazines, you need to quit even trying to use that analogy, as it demonstrates a lack of intelligence on your part, expecting anyone to believe that garbage." Says the person who has never been hunting medium sized game. How about your sewage that you're spewing?
The fact is that you managed to dance all around my argument. The weapons were legally owned and illegally obtained by the shooter. So, everyone should give up their right to own certain guns, magazines or ammunition because you might lose your mind someday, break into their house and steal it? You have lost your mind. We can't and shouldn't legislate our freedoms away in that fashion.

[vicweast]

@ TACTICALGUY_SF: Maybe it's me, but your reply to @BWB2020's comment seem like an overly aggressive response to his more thoughtful remarks. I understand your interest in owning weapons (indeed, I share it), but the fact remains that assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and armor piercing bullets simply do not make logical sense in a civilian nation. In Iraq, in Afghanistan they might if you are on opposing sides and life is apparently cheap.

Here in the United States of America, we do not believe life is cheap. Despite the NRA's well funded attempts to make it appear that these three things -- Assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and armor piercing bullets -- American civilian citizens have no "logical" need for them. The notion that possessing these will prove important to repel a despotic government is, well, a sign of an overblown imagination or worse, in a word: "paranoia".

[nita2293]

Newtown's House of Representative DebraLee Hovey's Facebook post to Gabby Giffords is: "Gabby Gifford stay out of my towns!!" She goes on to call Newtown residents "My grieving familys"... Has she no clue that she DOES NOT OWN Newtown residents.. She WORKS FOR them?
Her Facebook New Years resolution is: "To be kinder, more thoughtful, and loving to those who try my patience".... It is apparently clear... Shooting victims try DebraLee Hoveys patience. What a disgrace!!!

[michaelamsterdam]

Kenodenis says...
Isn't it time for quiet? Who needs Gabby and her astronaut husband visiting?

***************************************

Right, Kenodenis...

Everybody should just shut up about gun control. Gabrielle Giffords and those slaughtered kids and their teachers must be dismissed as pawns being used to make all you reich-wing gun nuts look bad...

And since all of you "law-abiding citizens" are the REAL victims of these mass shootings...you need to ratchet up the volume and vitriol of your protests of this attack on your "sacred and inviolate 2nd Amendment rights"...regardless of how many are killed...

While boldly hinting at armed insurrection if any attempt is made to take your manhood away (as if that were even possible)

And to protest against "grandstanders" like this Giffords woman stirring up trouble for "no good reason"

You truly suck, Kenodenis...big time!

[michaelamsterdam]

Nor on yours, troll...

[lami987]

Too many Americans can only learn the hard way. Those progun activists who advocate the possession of high power weapons and high capacity clips would only change their minds if they or their family members got shot by one of those weapons. Second amendment was written when our founding fathers had no idea our present day weapons could even exist. Second amendment also include those guns to be used to protect our freedom. A whole batch of our today progun activists would scare to death before even being sent to the front to fight our real enemies.

[tacticalguy_sf]

I agree, she IS an inspiration. The challenges that she has overcome...Wow. I can also see why she would be pro-gun control after what has happened. The fact is that tighter gun control isn't the issue in the Sandy Hook case. The weapons were legally obtained by the shooter's mother and then, the shooter took them after killing her. I know that everyone hates the analogy of guns and cars but, I'm going to hit it, again. When some jackass steals a car and kills people in the process of attempting to get away, we don't push for stronger car controls. Yes, the rifle used in the Sandy Hook incident is designed for one thing, that's true. To propel a 55gr bullet from the barrel at 3,215fps, towards it's target. For target shooters, it's a target. For hunters, it's small to medium game. For law enforcement, it can be a weapon of defense. For a homeonwer, also a weapon of defense. It's a tool. Just like a wheel or a lever. They can also be applied to commit violence.

[kenodenis]

Isn't it time for quiet? Who needs Gabby and her astronaut husband visiting? Throughout Gabby Gifford's injuries, there was nothing said about the little 7 year old child who was also shot and killed. It's all about her.

[Think4times]

Wow man have a heart?

She is a fine example of surviving her tragedy, can't you see how she is an inspiration?

[puppyfeet]

I have to reiterate what BWB2020 said: just because YOU didn't pay attention doesn't mean that "nothing was said" about Christina-Taylor Green who was nine years old when she was killed. And yes, born on September 11, 2001. What it all means is that you're the one who is ill-informed. As for who needs Gabby? Maybe the people of Newtown really, really appreciate having someone who knows exACTLY what they're going through to show her empathy and concern toward them. You should try showing some of that yourself.