Gabby Giffords Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom for Her Gun Safety Advocacy

President Joe Biden is attending a gathering at the White House today with victims of gun violence, including former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, as he continues to stress the necessity of reducing gun violence in the US. Giffords, who survived a 2011 murder attempt, is now the subject of a documentary that highlights her inspiring battle for health and activism for gun control laws.

Since her attack in 2011, Gabby Giffords’ narrative has been one of tenacity and endurance. The attempted assassination left her with severe wounds, but she was determined to recover and utilize her position as a former congresswoman to push for gun safety legislation. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, only last week in recognition of her efforts. Her tale is followed in the new documentary “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down,” which chronicles her journey from recuperation to her efforts on gun safety reform, in addition to the praise she received from President Biden.

Julie Cohen and Betsy West, two well-known directors who have co-directed a number of notable documentaries including “My Name Is Pauli Murray” and the Academy Award-nominated “RBG,” are responsible for the movie. “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” emphasizes Gifford’s bravery and commitment to fighting for sensible gun legislation that safeguards Citizens’ lives without violating their Second Amendment rights, creating a compelling image of her aim to reduce gun violence in America.

Although the documentary, which will be published later this month, centers on Gabby Gifford’s struggle for change, it is only a small part of a much wider discussion about reducing firearm fatalities across the country. President Biden has already signed many executive orders to reduce gun violence in the country, including one that mandates background checks for buyers of firearms from specific dealers. His administration is also making important strides to amend the law on firearms in a serious way.

In addition to serving as inspiration, Gabby Giffords’ story serves as a reminder that our elected officials have a duty to shield their constituents from senseless acts of gun violence, especially in light of the fact that gun injury is currently one of the top causes of death in US youth under the age of 19. Citizens like Gabby Giffords, who continue to call for action to end these avoidable deaths, must remain vigilant in the fight against gun violence. This starts with implementing common-sense reforms that preserve our right to bear guns while making public safety the first priority.