Gabby Giffords in new gun-control TV ad: "Congress must act"

TUCSON, Ariz. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is taking to the airwaves in hopes of persuading Congress to approve gun-control measures.

A political action committee formed by Giffords and husband Mark Kelly says it began airing a TV commercial Monday that shows images of the aftermath of four mass shootings and an on-camera appeal by Giffords for congressional action.

She's recovering from a head wound suffered in a January 2011 shooting in Tucson that left six people dead.

The ad notes that nine in 10 Americans support universal background checks, a finding that came in a recent CBS News/New York Times poll.

Americans for Responsible Solutions says the ad is airing in Washington and in home districts and states of congressional leaders in San Francisco, Cincinnati, Las Vegas and Louisville, Ky.

Group spokeswoman Jen Bluestein will only say the cost of the airtime tops $100,000.

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"Take it from me - Congress must act," Giffords says at the end of the commercial with her husband by her side. "Let's get this done."

In remarks at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence last month, Giffords made a defiant callfor Congress to "be bold" and "act" on gun violence.

"Too many children are dying," she said. "We must do something."

Giffords read slowly but forcefully from prepared remarks, and acknowledged that "speaking is difficult."

"But I need to say something important. Violence is a big problem," she said. "It will be hard. But the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you."