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INSIDE: Arizona officials, 2020 presidential candidates react to mass shooting. ONLINE: For the latest stories, as well as more photos and videos, go online to azcentral.com.
Members of the Arizona delegation voiced their thoughts on Twitter after a gunman opened fire on Saturday at an El Paso Walmart, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens more.
But one person had a more personal stake in the issue.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was injured in a 2011 shooting outside Tucson that left six people dead and 13 wounded. She survived a gunshot to her head.
Since then, she’s been a tireless gun control activist, working with her husband and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kelly to spread awareness and promote gun control legislation.
She also spearheaded multiple coalitions to curb gun violence in America.
“In El Paso or anywhere else, our families should not be afraid to run errands. We should not be afraid to attend festivals or concerts. We should not be afraid to worship or to go to school. But that’s not the America we’re living in today,” Giffords said in a 2:37 p.m. Twitter thread.
“The time for action is now,” she said.
Most of Arizona’s delegates didn’t offer much in the way of action, however.
U.S. Sen. Martha McSally offered sympathy for the people who were involved in the mass shooting’s fallout, saying she was praying for first responders and those who were involved.
Arizona’s other senator did not comment on the act of domestic terrorism, as of 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The Arizona Republic contacted Kyrsten Sinema’s office to ask for a statement, but so far, there had been no response.
Gov. Doug Ducey’s response was similar to McSally’s. “Our hearts are with everyone in El Paso. Sending prayers for everyone involved and gratitude for all the first responders and officers on the scene,” he tweeted at 12:36 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs offered prayers as well.
Another representative offered condolences but dropped the “thoughts and prayers” refrain. “My heart breaks for the El Paso community,” U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick said at 2:40 p.m. “Southern Arizona is with you.”
State Rep. Daniel Hernández Jr. didn’t offer his thoughts or prayers. Instead, he gave encouragement to take action through joining or helping different gun control movements, such as Moms Demand Action or Giffords’ organization.
Hernández recommended young people follow a local chapter of March for Our Lives. “Gun violence is preventable but only if we as citizens stand up against the well funded Washington Gun Lobby,” he said.
State Rep. Rosanna Gabaldón was on a similar page. “The community should always feel safe at public places and parents should never have to worry if their child will come home. I will fight for common sense gun reform that puts our schools, churches, and communities safety first,” she said on Twitter.
State Rep. Diego Rodriguez added his opinion to the discussion, calling silence complicity. “The hatred and ignorance that 45 pushes out to his racist base is empowering and encouraging domestic white terrorists,” he said.
Politicians weren’t the only wellknown Arizonans speaking out on the El Paso killings. ABC analyst and “The View” co-host Meghan McCain described the mass shooting as incomprehensible.
The shooting investigation is ongoing, El Paso police said.