As an assassination attempt survivor, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) knows a thing or two about gun violence. In 2011, the congresswoman was shot in the head during a campaign event in Arizona.
On Wednesday, she reacted to the news of a shooting at a congressional baseball practice with deep sympathy for those affected. She also expressed appreciation for the Capitol Police, whose quick response undoubtedly stopped a tragic situation from becoming worse:
My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 14, 2017
While the vast majority of respondents from all sides of the political spectrum welcomed the compassionate tweet:
I disagree w/ you @GabbyGiffords on most issues. But today, I applaud you. God bless you for your kindness and not using inflammatory words.
— Michael Frisbie (@ItzJustMichael) June 14, 2017
This is the right way to respond to such a heinous act. Proud of you and how strong you have been.
— Chris Ridings (@cridings1) June 14, 2017
Others didn’t.
Instead, a subset of angry internet trolls latched onto Giffords as a target, attacking her on Twitter and accusing her of all manner of wrongs.
BS, you probably staged this for another gun-grab attempt. Sorry, TRAITOR, it's NOT going to work.
— Marv L Shedley (@MarvLSOne) June 14, 2017
People like you enable this by trying to ban legal firearms go F yourself
— Chris Dumas (@DACHIBEAR85) June 14, 2017
To bad it was not her
— Douglas morse (@Douglasmorse10) June 14, 2017
Why don't you blame all these democrats who are stirring their crazies up, this is their fault! This is what HATE does!
— Melanie Turtletaub (@MelTurtletaub) June 14, 2017
Here we go with the anti #2A crap again.
— Zzopit👈🇺🇸🖖 (@zzopit) June 14, 2017
You leftist extremists are responsible for this tragedy.
— Chuck Burger (@Burger_Chucker) June 14, 2017
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