Gabrielle Giffords urges Senate to act on guns: ‘Too many children are dying’ - VIDEO

Giffords delivers stirring remarks to Senate Judiciary Committee

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Wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords urged Congress to "be bold, be courageous" in its efforts to combat gun violence at a Senate panel hearing Wednesday

Photo by NBC

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Former Congresswoman and victim of gun violence Gabrielle Giffords delivered short but stirring opening remarks on Wednesday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Speaking is difficult, but I need to say something important,” said Giffords, with her husband Mark Kelly by her side.

Wednesday marks the beginning of the showdown regarding proposed federal gun control laws in the US.

A victim of gun violence, Giffords urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to “be bold, be courageous” in their coming decisions.

In January 2011, Giffords was among more than a dozen injured at a shootout in her district in Arizona. She suffered serious injuries, which have in turn affected her speech as evidenced in her brief yet stirring remarks on Wednesday.

“Americans are counting on you,” said Giffords.

While the debate on gun control in the US has always lingered, it has renewed its vigor since the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut in December that claimed the lives of 26 people.

“Violence is a big problem,” said Giffords. “Too many children are dying. Too many children.”

Here, watch Giffords’ speech:

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