Statement from Ed Martin regarding Attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

St. Louis - “Saturday afternoon, Representative Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff and some of her constituents were gunned down while holding a constituent meeting in Tuscon Arizona. Our first response as fellow citizens is to pray for their lives and health, and pray for peace for their families.”

“As we reflect on this terrible event, we need to bear in mind that this assault transcends a mere violent crime. It is an attack on the very concept of self-government. Even if it is determined that this vicious crime was not politically motivated, the result will be a chilling effect on public gatherings between our political leaders and those they are sworn to represent.”

“There is no place in America for this sort of violence, there is no justification. This was an act of wanton evil and the perpetrator deserves the full, relentless penalty of the law.”

Read more at Ed Martin for Congress