Giffords, husband launch gun control push

Former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and husband Mark Kelly leave after sentencing of Jared Loughner Nov. 8, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz. / AP

Last Updated 12:58 p.m. ET

PHOENIX Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband launched an initiative aimed at curbing gun violence on Tuesday, the second anniversary of the Tucson shooting that killed six people and left her critically injured.

Giffords and Mark Kelly wrote in an op-ed published in USA Today that their Americans for Responsible Solutions initiative would help raise money to support greater gun control efforts.

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"Achieving reforms to reduce gun violence and prevent mass shootings will mean matching gun lobbyists in their reach and resources," they wrote in the column.

They said that it will "raise funds necessary to balance the influence of the gun lobby."

The move was hinted in Kelly's recent comments that he and Giffords want to become a prominent voice for gun control efforts.

The couple last week visited Newtown, Conn., where a gunman opened fire in an elementary school, killing 20 children and six adults in December. They also met with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a gun control advocate.

• Gabrielle Giffords meets with Conn. families
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The couple was expected to discuss the initiative in an interview airing Tuesday on ABC News. The network offered a preview of the interview Monday. Kelly described a meeting with a father of a Connecticut victim in which he "just about lost it" after the parent showed him a picture of his child.

"In response to a horrific series of shootings that has sown terror in our communities, victimized tens of thousands of Americans, and left one of its own bleeding and near death in a Tucson parking lot, Congress has done something quite extraordinary — nothing at all," Giffords and Kelly wrote in the op-ed.

"This country is known for using its determination and ingenuity to solve problems, big and small. Wise policy has conquered disease, protected us from dangerous products and substances, and made transportation safer. But when it comes to protecting our communities from gun violence, we're not even trying — and for the worst of reasons."

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Mourning in Tucson

They write that Americans are less safe today because of gun advocates, such as the National Rifle Association, who purport to represent gun owners but are "really advancing the interests of an ideological fringe" by using big money and influence to threaten any politician who diverts from their agenda.

"Rather than working to find the balance between our rights and the regulation of a dangerous product, these groups have cast simple protections for our communities as existential threats to individual liberties," they write. "As a result, we are more vulnerable to gun violence."

They hope to start a national conversation about gun violence and raise funds for political activity, so "legislators will no longer have reason to fear the gun lobby."

"The children of Sandy Hook Elementary School and all victims of gun violence deserve fellow citizens and leaders who have the will to prevent gun violence in the future," they wrote.

"We can't be naive about what it will take to achieve the most common-sense solutions. We can't just hope that the last shooting tragedy will prevent the next. Achieving reforms to reduce gun violence and prevent mass shootings will mean matching gun lobbyists in their reach and resources."

Tucson residents rang bells 19 times in honor of the victims Tuesday morning at the moment that Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at a supermarket where Giffords was meeting with constituents, CBS Tucson affiliate KOLD-TV reports.

• Complete CBSNews.com coverage: Tragedy in Tucson

But even on a day of remembrance, residents won't be able to escape the gun debate.

City Councilman Steve Kozachik has organized a gun turn-in program at a local police station Tuesday for people who have decided they no longer want weapons in their homes. He's hoping it helps bring added pressure as Congress and Arizona's Legislature come back into session to "keep the conversation" alive.

People giving up their guns will receive $50 gift cards from Safeway — the grocery store chain where Giffords was shot in the parking lot. The grocer contributed $1,000 of the nearly $10,000 Kozachik raised.

He said that as the shooting fades from the public's mind, issues like controlling the sale of large capacity magazines and keeping guns from the mentally ill need attention.

The event has angered local gun-rights advocates, including an outgoing state senator who plans to gather outside the station and offer people cash for guns instead.

"They're stealing it — stealing it," said Frank Antenori, a Republican who was defeated in a congressional primary bid last year. "Can you name me one firearm in working condition that's worth $50 or less?"

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[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

States should immediately pass laws, nullifying any unConstitutional act of the Federal government. They should states in law that any act of the Federal government not in keeping with the Constitution is null, void and of no force...and any person trying to enforce such an unConstitutional act shall be arrested and charged with a felony.

Time to get serious folks!

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty.... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins." Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts

"No Free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Thomas Jefferson

"The whole of the Bill (of Rights) is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals.... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of." Albert Gallatin

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States" Noah Webster

"...but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights..." Alexander Hamilton

[Red_Beagle]

If there was a law to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, none of the members of the NRA could have them, because you'd have to be crazy to join the NRA.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

Only the truly crazy would post something like this.

[TimeToEvolve]

The same gun yahoos who also are right to lifers think whatever they want about reality, the 2nd Amendment and the Bible. The beauty of that is you do not have to actually know anything.

But is is a fact that the 2nd Amendment was the right to have arms but for maintaining a WELL REGULATED militia. It was not about guns to overthrow the government by its citizens.

That is one of the most ignorant, stupidest things I have ever heard of.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

The fact is you are absolutely wrong. As always.

It was absolutely about two things: one, being able to have a militia that could take care of foreign threats and a standing army (the Federal government). And second, so the citizens themselves can fight tyranny.

Unfortunately for you, the Founders wrote down what they meant. And you are nowhere near them.

And since they wrote it, they are right and you are wrong.

[TimeToEvolve]

I don't know what they gun freaks are thinking, they should learn how to read so they can understand the 2nd Amendment.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

Obviously, you havent...because you dont understand it.

[TimeToEvolve]

The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution was all about the best way to defend America from invaders. It was NOT about citizens owning guns except to join a WELL REGULATED militia. It certainly was not about citizens defending themselves from the government that would be quite silly.

We don't need weapons to stop the government as was well illustrated in Egypt recently.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

Wrong again.

[TimeToEvolve]

I am completely mystified why sane and civilized citizens would not want to do some simple steps (which would also create a huge number of new jobs)

Background checks for every weapon sale
Permitting and registrations that has to be renewed
Waiting periods for all new sales
Mandatory safety training classes
Notification to all immediate family members

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

So, you are all about restricting unalienable rights of law abiding citizens.

When you gonna have a plan for the criminals?

[quantum__analysis]

TYPE_ZERO says: "Obviously, something things have to change. But neither Gabby or her husband are giving up their guns"

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Why should they, as gun owners, give up their guns?

This whole debate has been blown out of proportion already by the anti-NRA gun nutz that are 'really advancing the interests of an ideological fringe,' by using their usual FEARmongering about Obama coming for your guns!

We don't need to waste time on proposals that would not actually limit the number of firearms getting into the wrong hands like trying to waste time eliminating the fictitious "Gun Show Loophole" because they don't work - all the while allowing hypocrites like Giffords and Kelly to only keep theirs!

[TimeToEvolve]

This fallacious argument about "giving up the guns" COMPLETELY misses the entire point. We need to regulate something that is designed and manufactured to kill people. Simple.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

Your tyranny will not stand, Quantum. Your unAmerican views will be defeated.

[quantum__analysis]

GRUVEN says: "I guess it's safe to say that she doesn't own her Glock anymore"

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Finally someone picks up on the hypocrisy of this woman!

[quantum__analysis]

"There's no way that those are going to be taken or collected --there's no way that's possible," Barber said Monday.

"But if we can move forward toward controlling the accessibility or access to those magazines or assault rifles we can go a long way to minimizing or possibly preventing future tragedies."

And the government also said that private property would never be confiscated and given to investors.

Never trust a politician when they say "never."

[quantum_analysis]

IMPOSTERS like you are total jokes and should be banned for life!