Former US Rep. Giffords seeks end to gun violence

She’s back.

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the status of guns, gun control and violence.

The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a hearing Wednesday morning called “What Should America Do About Gun Violence?” In her testimony, Giffords called for violence to be stopped, referring to the many unnecessary deaths that have occurred as a result of guns. Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly, also testified.

This testimony comes two weeks after President Barack Obama’s gun control order, which contained 23 points on the future of guns in America. The Senate hearing also follows Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introducing legislation to ban more than 150 assault weapons. Despite the movement toward less guns, some are still opposed.

Sen. Joe Donnelly, R-Ind., voiced his support for the Second Amendment. In a press release from his office, Donnelly said the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, currently used to check the backgrounds of some prospective gun buyers, does not work. He called for its re-examination and a way to reduce gun crime and violence without infringing on Constitutional rights.

“Whether a gun owner or not, a city-dweller or not, a democrat or a republican, everyone would agree that we can take steps to reduce violent crime without sacrificing the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens,” Donnelly said in the press release.

— Bridget Ameche