Giffords Makes Appearance At Gun Control Event

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is encouraging lawmakers to support expanded background checks for gun purchases.

Giffords, who was wounded in a shooting on Jan. 8, 2011, amped up her push for more gun control after the Dec. 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.

The AP reports:

Other survivors of the mass shooting are expected to join Giffords at the news conference in Tucson Wednesday.

A gun control group started by Giffords and husband Mark Kelly began airing a new television ad in Arizona and Iowa Tuesday calling for background checks.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take up tougher firearm regulations Thursday.

Watch Giffords' news conference on gun control above.

Earlier on HuffPost:

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)