Gabrielle Giffords speaks at gun control hearing

Gabrielle Giffords, a former representative, who survived a shot to the head during an assassination attempt two years ago, begged Congress to put an end to gun violence on Wednesday.

"Too many children are dying. We must do something," she said. "Violence is a big problem. It will be hard. But the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you."

Giffords husband Mark Kelly, a former astronaut also spoke at the hearing.

"The holes in our laws make a mockery of the background check system. Congress should close the private sales loophole, and the dangers people entered into that system." he said. "Gabby and I are pro-gun ownership. But we are also anti-gun violence. When dangerous people get dangerous guns, we are all more vulnerable."

This congressional hearing is the first since President Obama introduced his proposals to curb gun violence.

Wayne La Pierre, CEO of the NRA, believes that gun violence opponents should focus on mental health issues rather than banning assault weapons.

"The problem with gun laws is, criminals don't cooperate with them. The mentally ill don't cooperate with them," he said. "Law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals, nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully own and use to protect our families...We need to be honest about what works and what does not work. Proposals that would only serve to burden the law-abiding have failed and will fail in the future."

Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly will meet with President Obama later today.

Watch Gabrielle Giffords' call to action ( below):

(Source)