Radio host criticizes Giffords for shooting AR-15

Radio host criticizes Giffords for shooting AR-15

Posted: Updated:
  • Gun Control Across America

  • Gun owners, veterans and concerned citizens are all standing together reminding lawmakers they're still fighting for a change to gun laws.
    Gun owners, veterans and concerned citizens are all standing together reminding lawmakers they're still fighting for a change to gun laws.
  • Friday, May 31 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-05-31 18:18:35 GMT
    A federal appeals court panel Friday unanimously upheld an Obama administration requirement that dealers in southwestern border states report when customers buy multiple high-powered rifles.
    A federal appeals court panel Friday unanimously upheld an Obama administration requirement that dealers in southwestern border states report when customers buy multiple high-powered rifles.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 3:45 PM EDT2013-05-16 19:45:21 GMT
    District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray's administration does not support a bill that would require gun owners in the nation's capital to carry liability insurance.
    District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray's administration does not support a bill that would require gun owners in the nation's capital to carry liability insurance.
TUCSON, Ariz. -

Gabrielle Giffords is on the defensive after a conservative radio host and blogger attacked her and her husband, Mark Kelly, who are currently pushing for stricter gun laws and background checks.

It's surprising that Giffords would even respond to these attacks, so they clearly struck a nerve.

James T. Harris posted two pictures of Giffords -- both of her posing with AR-15 rifles.

These photos were taken before Giffords was shot and the Harris alleges that they were more about publicity and politics than anything else.

"Nothing though could ever be as effective at convincing the public to turn over their guns and forfeit their Second Amendment rights as the sympathetic faces of Gabby Giffords and her tortured and selfless husband, all American hero, Mark Kelly," wrote Harris.

Harris also wasn't thrilled with Kelly's recent purchase of an AR-15 -- something he did to show how easy it is to get one.

On Giffords' Facebook page, she responded, writing she clearly remembers both photos -- one taken when she was invited by Tucson police to sample some of the weapons she helped them get the funding for and the other, which was taken during a trip to Afghanistan -- no politics, not a photo op.

On Facebook, she posted, "We don't have to choose between owning, using, and enjoying guns, on one hand, and preventing gun violence, on the other. Both sides need to come together to support commonsense solutions to gun violence, like keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people like the young man who shot me."

Giffords and Kelly have launched a major campaign supporting universal background checks.  That would mean background checks at gun shows and for private sales.

Their efforts are generating plenty of support and criticism.  The photo of Kelly buying the AR-15 received more than 6,500 comments on Facebook.

Related stories:

Powered by WorldNow
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices