Gabrielle Giffords says that Omar Montgomery is the best candidate to fight gun violence as Aurora’s mayor.

The former Arizona congresswoman became a gun reform advocate after surviving a mass shooting at a supermarket in Tucson in 2011. Giffords was wounded and six were killed in the attack.

She noted in a release Sunday that Montgomery is also a survivor of gun violence. Montgomery has said that he once attended a party in Los Angeles in which a gang shooting killed two attendees, reports the Aurora Sentinel.

“Fighting gun violence requires leaders at every level who will stand up for their community,” Giffords said in the release. “Omar Montgomery knows the pain that this crisis brings to families and communities, and he is ready to take action to make Aurora a safer place from gun violence.”

Montgomery said in the release that the issue is personal for him.

“I have seen the damage guns have done to our community,” Montgomery said. “That’s why addressing gun violence is a top priority in my campaign and will be as mayor.”

Giffords criticized candidate Mike Coffman, a former congressman who is running for Aurora mayor, for his stance on gun reform.

“Mike Coffman has proven time and time again he won’t be a champion for gun safety,” Giffords said. “Aurora can do better. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Omar Montgomery for mayor and look forward to him working to create a safer community here in Aurora.”

Both Giffords and Montgomery said that Coffman is an ally of the National Rifle Association.

“Enough with only prayers and thoughts – it’s time for our Aurora leaders to be outraged, to refuse to accept this as the status quo, and to take strong action against the NRA and other extremists,” Montgomery said. “As mayor, I will lead that effort from Day One.”