Hillary Clinton is making an emotional gun control pitch to Iowa voters

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP)DES MOINES, Iowa — Hillary Clinton wants Iowa voters to consider gun control when they caucus in two days. At her event on Saturday, Clinton was joined by gun control activists Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords. Emotions ran high as Giffords, who was wounded in a mass shooting and still struggles to speak, suggested Clinton is the best candidate to “stand up to the gun lobby.” For her part, Clinton, who is normally far more subdued even when making a forceful point, raised her voice in anger and incredulousness as she argued America’s gun laws must change. “When I’ve traveled around Iowa the last couple of months, I have heard about … what happens when children, young children, toddlers, kids in elementary school find that loaded gun in the closet or under the bed,” Clinton said. “I’ve heard the stories. I’ve seen the news reports about the ones who are killed. … What is wrong with us? How can we continue?”Slideshow: On the trail and down to the wire in Iowa >>>Clinton was introduced at the event by her daughter, Chelsea, who said she “couldn’t imagine a stronger president to keep us safe.” After Chelsea spoke, Kelly, an astronaut, took the stage. Kelly said he and his wife believe “there is only one candidate that is willing to take on the tough fights.” He also alluded to the struggle that Giffords, a former congresswoman, has gone through in the five years since she was shot.Gabby served for about two-and-a-half years in Congress; then she was injured,” Kelly said. “You know, it’s tough for me to talk about this, but often one of the last things Gabby will say to me before she gets in the car to go to an appointment to do some grueling physical therapy, speech therapy, she’ll say, ‘Fight, fight, fight.’ She doesn’t give up.”Afterward, Giffords made a brief statement.  “Speaking is hard for me,” Giffords said. “But January, come January, I want to say these two words: Madam President.”Her words came slowly.“Hillary is tough. Hillary is courageous,” said Giffords. “In the White House she will stand up to the gun lobby. That’s why I’m voting for Hillary.”

Gabrielle Giffords, with her husband, Mark Kelly, embraces Hillary Clinton during a “get out the caucus” event at Iowa State University. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Though she didn’t mention his name, the elephant in the room was clearly Clinton’s top rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.). Painting Sanders as not being a strong supporter of gun control has been one of the main attacks from the Clinton campaign during their primary fight.Clinton said her gun control policies would be “consistent with the Constitution” and claimed she is regularly approached by gun owners and hunters who agree with her stance.“I agree with President Obama. The steps that he announced are ones that I fully endorse, executive action, put more resources into the work of doing the background checks, going after the gun dealers who are so irresponsible,” Clinton said. “But none of it will stick if it’s not a voting issue and, as you go to caucus Monday night, please think about this.”