Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Co-Founder of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions, released the below statement today following a spate of sexist and homophobic attacks on Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in response to her steps to help keep guns out of the wrong hands:

The attacks on Attorney General Healey are more than offensive, sexist, and homophobic; they are dangerous. Believe me: This kind of rhetoric fuels hatred, violence, and puts lives at risk. It must stop. In the face of these attacks that have no place in our country, I stand with Maura Healey.

Since I left public office, I have watched with dismay as civility in our politics has eroded and these kinds of irresponsible attacks have become all too common. It is poisonous and a stain on our politics.

The return of civility is essential to the frank, respectful and vigorous public debate that has been our country’s great legacy – and that is our only hope for meeting our shared challenges.

http://americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/2016/08/04/maura-healey-attacks/