Gabby Giffords Makes Surprise Appearance At Senate Gun Control Hearing

“You must act.

Image by Chip Somodevilla - Getty

WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Gabby Giffords Wednesday made a surprise appearance at a Senate gun control hearing, making an emotional plea for Congress to quickly tackle the problem of gun violence.

“Speaking is difficult, but I need to say something important. Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something,” Giffords told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold, be courageous. Americans are counting on you. Thank you,” Giffords added.

Giffords was not scheduled to speak at the hearing, although her husband Mark Kelly was. Giffords was gravely injured in 2011 when a gunman attacked a community event she was hosting in her district.

Video available at: http://buzzfeed-video1.s3.amazonaws.com/video/2013/01/30/GabbyGiffordsNRA-480x336.mp4.