Former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords' husband says Rep. Louie Gohmert Louis (Louie) Buller GohmertRep. Dan Meuser tests positive for COVID-19 Watchdog calls for probe into Gohmert 'disregarding public health guidance' on COVID-19 Massie plans to donate plasma after testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies MORE (R-Texas) should not "hide behind" his wife's shooting to avoid town halls.



"If he doesn't want to do town halls, he should just say he doesn't want to face his constituents," Mark Kelly said Friday, according to CNN. "He shouldn't hide behind Gabby."

Gohmert cited the 2011 attack on Giffords when addressing safety concerns about the ongoing protests at numerous GOP town hall events this month.

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"Unfortunately, at this time there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety. Threats are nothing new to me and I have gotten my share as a felony judge," Gohmert wrote in a letter to constituents Tuesday.



"However, the House Sergeant at Arms advised us after former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot at a public appearance, that civilian attendees at congressional public events stand the most chance of being harmed or killed -- just as happened there," he added.



Giffords directly responded to Gohmert and other GOP lawmakers on Thursday, urging them to "have some courage."



"I was shot on a Saturday morning. By Monday morning, my offices were open to the public," she said.



"To the politicians who have abandoned their civic obligations, I say this: Have some courage."