This title examines an important historic event – the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others in Tucson, Arizona. Easy-to-read, compelling text explores the man behind the shooting, Jared Loughner, and his history of mental illness, the disease schizophrenia, Giffords rise in politics, the political climate in America, including the hot button issue of health-care reform, Giffords’s fight for her life, and the effects of this event on society. Also discussed are the gun laws in America, the National Rifle Association’s stand on gun control, new legislation introduced in Congress regarding gun control, and mental health policy and law. Features include a table of contents, glossary, selected bibliography, Web links, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and essential facts. Essential Events is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.