As lawmakers gathered to discuss gun control in Washington ..... more gun violence throughout the country. In Chicago, locals mourned the death of a teenage girl who just one week earlier, performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration. And at a business complex in Arizona -- three people were shot after a man went on a shooting spree.
The committee heard first from one of their own ---former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords --- who was shot in the head during a 2011 attack that left six people dead.
SOUNDBITE: U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
"Too many children are dying. The time is now. You must act. Be bold; be courageous. Americans are counting on you."
Her husband astronaut, Mark Kelly.
SOUNDBITE: Mark Kelly, Astronaut and husband of Gabrielle Giffords saying:
"We're both gun owners and we take that right and the responsibilities that come with that very seriously, and we watch with horror when the news breaks to yet another tragic shooting. After 20 kids and six of their teachers were gunned down in their classrooms at Sandy Hook Elementary we said this time must be different. Something needs to be done. We're simply two reasonable Americans who have said enough."
Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association.
SOUNDBITE:Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association saying:
"You've got to put a police officer in schools, armed security in schools, but let's do the things that work. Let's get serious about this. This discussion, I mean I sit here and listen to it and my reaction is how little it has to do with making the country and our children safe...and how much it has to do with this decades long, or two decade long gun ban agenda."
There were several tense exchanges.
SOUNDBITE: Richard Durbin, Democratic Senator From Illinois Saying:
"Mr. Lapierre, that's the point, the criminals won't go to purchase the guns because there will be a background check, it will stop them from the original purchase. You missed that point completely, and I think it's basic."
The hearing comes just weeks after Obama unveiled new gun control measure including a ban on military style assault weapons.
