Gun Control Talk Mixes With Political Push For Clinton In South Jersey
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, were in Cherry Hill for a talk on gun control. But they had a second, political message to get out.
Some 50 people turned out for what was labeled a non-political session by its hosts, The Jewish Community Relations Council of South Jersey. Some told tales of how gun violence affected their lives, and most of the hour-long session did address the issue at hand.
Kelly and Gifford have been gun control activists since Giffords was shot nine years ago. Kelly said the NRA was very good at pursuing its agenda, even in the face of overwhelming sentiment for even basic changes in gun laws.
"Expanding background checks for gun sales gets the support, on average, of 90%," Kelly said. "What gets 90% support here in the US?" To which his wife answered "ice cream."
Giffords later joined her husband in urging people to support Democrat Hillary Clinton in next month's New Jersey Presidential Primary.
"Hillary is tough. Hillary is courageous," Giffords said. "She will fight to make our families safer. In the White House, she will stand up to the gun lobby."
New Jersey holds its Presidential primary on June 7th.
Also in attendance at the session were the mayors of Camden and Cherry Hill, members of the New Jersey legislature and Congressman Donald Norcross, who is up for re-election this fall.
