Gabrielle Giffords on The Second Amendment

Summary

Congresswoman Giffords has not been in Congress long enough to develop a voting record on the issue. She has stated that she is a gun owner and supports the second amendment. Congresswoman Giffords signed onto an Amicus brief showing her support for the decision to end the DC gun ban. She stated that it was a common sense ruling that reaffirms the constitutional right. 

The DC Gun Ban

In June of 2008, Congresswoman Giffords issued a press statement noting her support for overturning the D.C. gun ban.

June 26, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Supreme Court released a decision to strike down the District of Columbia's ban on handgun ownership as unconstitutional. U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords released the following statement in support of the court's ruling:
"As a gun owner, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. In February, I was proud to sign the Amicus Brief in District of Columbia v. Heller asking the Supreme Court to uphold the lower court ruling that overturned the long standing DC gun ban.

This is a common sense decision that reaffirms the Constitutional right - and Arizona tradition - of owning firearms. I commend the Court for ruling in favor of restoring our right to bear arms."

In September of 2008, Congresswoman Giffords released another statement noting her support for a vote in the House to make it easier for those in DC to own weapons.

September 17, 2008
Tucson lawmaker reaffirms Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was part of a pro-gun majority in the House today voting to make it easier for residents of the nation's capital to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

"As a long-time gun owner, I believe the right to keep and bear arms should not be dependent on the city in which you live," said Giffords. "The provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply to all Americans, regardless of geography"

The National Capital Security & Safety Act, H.R. 6842, as amended by U.S. Travis Childers of Mississippi, passed the House of Representatives this morning in a bipartisan 266-152 vote.

Three months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the District of Columbia's 32-year old ban on possessing handguns was a violation of the Second Amendment. Prior to the court's action, Giffords was among more than 300 members of Congress to join a bipartisan amicus brief urging the court to overturn the city's ban.

Childers' substitute version of H.R. 6842, which was supported by the National Rifle Association, eliminates the requirement that guns in District of Columbia homes be locked up and unloaded.

"We have a long tradition of gun ownership in the United States," Giffords said. "It is a tradition which every law-abiding citizen should be able to enjoy."

Voting Record

National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

In November of 2011, the House passed the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. The legislation was designed to amend the federal criminal code to authorize a person who is carrying a government-issued photographic identification document and a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state to carry a concealed handgun in another state in accordance with the restrictions of that state. It passed the House with the support of almost all Republicans and about 1/4 of the Democrats. Gabrielle Giffords cast a "No Vote"

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-111; Bill Number-H R 5162; Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Cosponsor

Amends specified law prohibiting the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia to declare that nothing in it or any other provision of law shall authorize or be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, transporting for legitimate purposes, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Declares that nothing in such prohibitions shall be construed to prohibit the District from regulating the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person.

Session-111; Bill Number-H R 5552; Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act of 2010 - Cosponsor

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) excise taxes on recreational equipment to be due and payable on the date for filing the return for such taxes (i.e., quarterly); and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to assess and collect, in the same manner as delinquent taxes are assessed and collected, mandatory orders of restitution for victims of crime. Increases by 0.25% in the third quarter of 2015 the estimated tax payments of corporations with assets of not less than $1 billion. Provides for compliance of the budgetary effects of this Act with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

Session-110; Bill Number-H R 6691; Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Cosponsor

To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.

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