What do you get when you take a state where it’s easy for just about anyone to get a gun; mix in a bit of political vitriol; stir the pot with a huge dose of right-wing rhetoric; then bring to a boil with an impressionable and psychotic madman? You get a crime scene with a U.S. Congresswoman shot, that’s what!
Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was speaking with constituents during a planned “Congress in Your Corner” event at the Tuscon Safeway on Saturday, when a maniacal gunman walked up and shot her in the head at point blank range. The gunmen then sprayed a barrage of bullets into the attending crowd, wounding several innocent bystanders and killing 6, including a federal judge, a staffer of Giffords’ and a 9-year-old girl.
22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner was arrested and is in custody, after bystanders tackled him in the parking lot following the shooting. Loughner was said to have been holding a 9mm semi-automatic glock he easily obtained in Arizona under their incredibly lax gun laws. A series of YouTube videos made by the presumed gunman along with confused ramblings on his Facebook page, portray Loughner as extremely unstable, extremely mistrusting of the government, and extremely angry following the passage of recent legislation such as health care and local immigration issues.
Although congresswoman Giffords survived the ordeal, her injuries are gravely serious. “She was shot in the head, through and through,” surgeon Peter Rhee said. “She was shot one time. It went through her brain. I am as optimistic as it gets in these situations.”
The congresswoman’s 75-year-old father Spencer Giffords, was asked if his 40-year-old daughter had any enemies. “Yeah. The whole Tea Party,” he said. Giffords had previously reported to Capitol Police 42 threats made against her in 2010, all related to her vote in favor of President Obama’s health care bill. She was also among one of several congressional members whose offices were vandalized last year in retaliation against their voting records.
Pima County Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik denounced the nation’s vitriolic political climate during an emotional news conference late Saturday. “The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous, and unfortunately Arizona has become sort of the capital,” Dupnik said. “We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.” He added that the fiery rhetoric in politics “may be free speech, but it’s not without consequences.”
Newly elected House Speaker John Boehner said he was horrified by the shooting. “An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society,” Boehner said. “Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country.”
President Obama dispatched FBI Director Robert Mueller to Arizona to lead the investigation, as the shooting of a member of congress is considered a federal matter. In speaking to the press, Mr. Obama said “It’s not surprising that today Gabby was doing what she always does — listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors,” referring to Giffords by her nickname. “That is the essence of what our democracy is all about. That is why this is more than a tragedy for those involved. It is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country.”
This was a real sad story. I hope all the injured make a full recovery.