NEW YORK -- The National Rifle Association, the main political lobby group for gun manufacturers in the US, posted a tweet on Thursday mocking shooting victim Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman who was attacked in 2011, leaving her fighting brain damage.
Giffords, who has become and advocate for tougher laws governing the sale of firearms, is currently fighting for improved background checks for anyone looking to buy a gun.
In response, the NRA Tweeted:
Gunman Jared Loughner shot Giffords, killing six and injuring 18. The NRA tweet linked to the Breitbart website, a right-wing mouthpiece in the US, and a story about how Loughner had passed a background check.
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Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords pumps her fist as she testifies before a Washington state House panel Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014
“The NRA’s brazen response is as predictable as it is pathetic,” said Congresswoman Kathleen Rice.
Others on Twitter were less diplomatic:
Of course, the NRA tweet garnered some backers:
Giffords Appears At Gun Control Hearing
(01 of09)
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Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (R) and his wife, shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) (C) arrive for a Jan. 30, 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee about gun control on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of09)
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Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (R) and his wife, shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) (C) arrive for a Jan. 30, 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee about gun control on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of09)
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Shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) arrives for a Jan. 30, 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about gun control on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of09)
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Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (R) and his wife, shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) (2nd R) arrive for a Jan. 30, 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee about gun control on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of09)
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Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (R) and his wife, shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) prepares to give an opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee about gun control on Capitol Hill January 30, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of09)
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Shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) (L) and her husband Retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly (2nd L) arrive for a Jan. 30, 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about gun control in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of09)
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Shooting victim and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) (C) speaks with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee before a Jan. 30, 2013 hearing about gun control on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of09)
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Shooting survivor and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) (L) is seated next to her husband Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.) during a Jan. 30, 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of09)
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Shooting survivor and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) (L) speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence, January 30, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)