WASHINGTON, April 18 (UPI) -- U.S. senators "gave into fear" when they defeated a bill on expanded background checks for gun purchases, ex-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a shooting survivor, said.
"On Wednesday, a minority of senators gave into fear and blocked common-sense legislation that would have made it harder for criminals and people with dangerous mental illnesses to get hold of deadly firearms -- a bill that could prevent future tragedies like those in Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., Blacksburg, Va., and too many communities to count," Giffords, who was shot in the head when a gunman opened fire in Tucson, Ariz., and killed six and wounded 13, said in a commentary published by The New York Times.