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Gabby Giffords Brings Anti-Gun Violence Bus Tour To New York City

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords brought her anti-gun violence bus tour to New York City on Monday.

Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt near Tucson in 2011, is on on a six-week nationwide bus tour to call for stricter gun laws.

Outside City Hall, she declared it takes courage to confront the gun lobby and stop the violence.

"Now is the time to come together, be responsible," Giffords said. "Democrats, Republicans, everyone. We must never stop fighting."

Her husband, former astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, said gun violence kills 33,000 Americans per year.

"And as the gun violence crisis rages on, Congress has done something pretty remarkable, they've done nothing," Kelly said.

The couple is encouraging voters to elect like-minded candidates.

"It's time to elect even more candidates who will stand up to the gun lobby, and that's what this 'Vocal Majority Tour' is all about," Kelly said.

"Be bold, be courageous, the nation's counting on you," Giffords said.

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was among a dozen lawmakers joining Giffords.

"We're tired, we're sick and tired of hearing the names of innocent lives that are being taken away from us because of someone who was allowed to easily purchase a gun," Mark-Viverito said.

New York City was the 21st stop of the "2016 Vocal Majority Tour," which is visiting 40 cities in 14 states ahead of the Nov. 8 elections.

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