Gabrielle Giffords, husband Mark Kelly to attend State of the Union

Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously injured in the mass shooting that killed six people in Tucson, Ariz., sits with her husband, Mark Kelly, on Capitol Hill in Washington Jan. 30, 2013. / AP Photo

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and her husband, Mark Kelly, will attend President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday as guests of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., a Barber aide confirmed to CBS News.

Giffords, who was shot in the head during a mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., in 2011, resigned from Congress following the shooting. Barber, her former district director, now holds the seat she once occupied.

The decision to invite Giffords and her husband will likely focus more attention on the president's recently unveiled proposals to reduce gun violence. Since the shooting that nearly claimed her life, Giffords has emerged as one of the most high-profile faces against gun violence in America.

Play Video

Giffords: "Too many children are dying"

At a congressional hearing in January, Giffords and Kelly testified on the need to adjust gun laws. "Violence is a big problem," Giffords declared during her testimony. "Too many children are dying - too many children."

"We must do something," she said. "It will be hard, but the time is now."

The president is expected to mention his proposals to strengthen gun laws during the speech, which is otherwise expected to focus on economic revitalization.

• At gun violence hearing, Giffords calls for action, NRA stands firm
• Economy to be focus of Obama's State of the Union speech, aides say

The proposals, which include a national background check requirement for gun purchases and a ban on military-style assault weapons, have drawn fire from congressional Republicans and interest groups like the National Rifle Association, which have accused the administration of attempting to undermine the Second Amendment.

[CommonSenseEddie]

I am very disappointed to watch these misguided efforts. I am not minimizing the harm that was done to Gabby. The perpetrator got what he deserved. There are a few smart people in congress and many smart people at NASA that know that to fix a problem you need to look to the 'Root Cause'. Mark, without looking to the root cause NASA would have scrapped the solid rocket boosters on the space shuttle rather than inspect and replace the faulty O-rings. It is very obvious to the people with common sense that the violet video games and today's so called music lyrics that promote killing and even get some stupid Hollywood award is the REAL problem. The Killer will use any tool to kill. Look at the man in China who killed several school children with a machete. The problem is children being raised in fatherless homes, watching violent video games, and listening to violent music lyrics. The problem is the Killer, NOT the law abiding citizen with a gun.

[logictoo]

Her husbands name is Mark Kelly. Why ain't her name Gabby Kelly? If Mark Kelly was President then Gabby Giffords would be First Lady, that would new a first.

[lollyikens]

What a silly comment. Many women use their maiden name instead of taking their husbands last name. What has this to do with the article?

[logictoo]

LOLLYKINS--Not a silly comment. I wonder if Kelly is he legal name. She could be Mark "babymama"---Get on board this is the twentieth century.

[vanys-2009]

Cowmpound: Laws are only as good as people are willing to abide by them. The relative ability to enforce law is paramount. Otherwise they are rendered ineffective. Law abiding citizens are not an issue. How we choose to deal with the violators is an issue. Laws make things legal and illegal not right and wrong. While right/wrong and legal/illegal cross paths, they are inherently different. Lawyers love laws and the money laws generate. They are not so concerned with right/wrong. Individual safety and self defense is just that. Individual. No "law" should dictate how an individual chooses to protect him/herself.

[CommonSenseEddie]

How true. You are on the money.

[frankie2fing]

"Elecshuns have consequences, my friends!"

"If you want to set policy, WIN SOME ELECTIONS!"

Yes, budda boy. The Democrats HAVE won elections. And you do not like it so, OBSTRUCT!

You teabaggers are such racists. Just come out and say it. He is black and you do not like it.

While I disliked dubya, and thought he was an idiot, he did win (well maybe) and deserved to set the agenda, as much as I disliked it. He was still my President.

[Sterling-American]

Hmm?
Hooked on Ebonics, eh?
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste"
Cowmpound and Thinks0Times are prime examples.

[frankie2fing]

You know, I really get tired of you teabagging, knuckledraggers bashing OUR President. At least you are saying it in public, now, just not snickering to your friends like 5 yo's. So the PRESIDENT is scum? Marxist? Communist? Socialist?

Name ONE policy to support your position. Just one. Otherwise, just take limpy's nut sack out of your mouth.

[Sterling-American]

Sorry but we don't speak Ebonics here or jive.
Are you calling Obama names?
Try again in English.

[frankie2fing]

Nice response, short but pointless. Still waiting....

[Sterling-American]

Cowmpound replies
True mind of the gun zealot. Put it on display.

Lovin it.

WELCOME BACK AMERICA!



You have been posting on here for hours and you call others a "Zealot"?
You seem to be a repulsive compulsive.
Get a life or a shrink.

[Sterling-American]

Cowmpound replies: linkicon reporticon emailicon Nice.

How much do you enjoy that Gabby was shot in the face?

Were you in Sterling's and KC's homeschool?



Sterling-American replies
Look who's running off at the mouth again,
we think Cowmpound was obedience trained where Obama's dog BO was taught.

[Cowmpound]

MS-PIGGY-HILLARY-CLINTON says:If you look at Gabby Giffords face staring out into space with that blank look on her face, she is out of it.
Obama is exploiting the brain damaged Giffords like the rest of his brain damaged flock.
It is reprehensible of Obama!reply
COWMPOUND replies: linkiconreporticonemailiconMaybe she is putting thought into something before she speaks or acts.

You should try it.
MS-PIGGY-HILLARY-CLINTON replies: linkiconreporticonemailiconWhat, being brain damaged like she and you?
Look how long it took you to come up with a stale response.
It takes her so long to form a thought she had to resign from Congress.

[Sterling-American]

It was a terrible thing when Giffords was shot by a fellow Democrat and now Obama a fellow Democrat is doing a terrible thing exploiting her shooting to win political points.
Have you Democrats no shame or compassion.

[Cowmpound]

Nice work.

Get those facts from mommy in your basement homeschool.

Care to explain what your feeble mind is trying to communicate?

Get er done!

[Sterling-American]

Boy are you childish and simple minded.
Get a life, loser.
You probably describe yourself and the rest of your kind on the left posting here.

[vanys-2009]

Guns are not the problem, therefore gun control is not the solution. Man's inhumanity to man is as old as man himself. Under the law, murder carries the death penalty. Why is Laughner still alive? Laws do more to protect bad guys than good guys. Bet a quarter the answer is money. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. With all due respect for Gabby, now is not the "time to do something" even if it's wrong!

[Cowmpound]

So your point is we should get rid of all laws because they protect bad guys more than good guys?

Is this what you are stating?

[Sterling-American]

Cowmpound you have been running your mouth on this story all morning long. Your betters have moved on.
Don't you have a life and other things to do on a Sunday morning?
I bet I can come back at 5 PM and you will still be here ranting and blathering away beating a dead horse.