It was bright and cold in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011. I needed gloves, which is not usually necessary in Tucson. Other than that, I don't remember much about the day I was shot at close range. Eighteen community members who were there with me were killed or wounded. Like so many other places in America, this shooting changed our community and changed the trajectory of my life.

As I reflect on that tragic event 10 years ago today, I try not to dwell on or focus on the suffering and hardship endured by the victims and survivors. Instead, I remember what was special about those who were with me, what they accomplished and what they dreamed of. I think of Judge John Roll. We differed from each other politically, but he was always a generous and dedicated public servant. I think of Christina-Taylor Green, who was only 9 years old when she was killed. She came to me because she was interested in running for office. How all of us had to persevere despite unimaginable hardships. [I recall the first steps I took after being told I might never walk again, and the first words I spoke after learning of the damage a bullet had done to my brain. Rather, I would rather focus on the heroism of those who acted quickly outside the Safeway supermarket that day and saved even more lives, and the many inspiring and courageous men and women (many of them young) I have met in the decade since then.

After the Senate's failure to act following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, I decided to make the fight against gun violence one of my life's missions. I have been incredibly energized by the next generation of activists I have met in this fight. It is not easy to stand up when others tell you to be quiet. Especially when you are struggling with the pain and trauma that gun violence brings.

But by following the examples of heroes who came before me, like the late Congressman John Lewis and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I have held on with tenacity, determination, and a clear purpose. Now I find strength in new voices like Emma Gonzalez, Malala Yousafzai, and Greta Samberg. I sometimes compare myself to their indomitable will to make a difference.

My personal credo is "moving forward." This does not mean covering up my own grief or turning a blind eye to the suffering of others. It means using this grief and suffering to build a deeper, more meaningful life. One of the reasons I have a deep bond with Joe Biden is that he is no stranger to turning tragedy into purpose. Despite the loss of his wife and young daughter several years ago, and more recently, his son, Beau, Joe has found a way to keep moving forward. He has channeled his deep empathy and compassion into public service. I know he will continue to do the same as president.

Both he and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris have a tremendous task at hand: to heal a country devastated by the pandemic and bitterly divided by the outgoing president. I am confident that this administration will be the most reflective of the American people in our nation's history in terms of identity, experience, and in reflecting our needs, hopes, and dreams.

But there is no vaccine to prevent gun violence.

This new administration must address gun violence with the urgency it deserves. I will turn this hope into a call to action at every opportunity. That is why my organization, Giffords (opens in new tab), has created a blueprint to help the new administration stop the spread of gun violence. This includes establishing an interagency task force led by a top White House official, creating a Violence Intervention Office, and investing in proven community-based solutions to gun violence so that the government can finally take a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the crisis. Community-based violence prevention programs have been proven to drastically reduce homicides in our nation's underserved communities and require no new legislation at all.

Still, we cannot let Congress go unchecked. As we know, there are research-based solutions that will save lives and gain broad public support, but we will not move forward unless lawmakers act courageously, and ten years ago, I promised to do just that.

My life has not returned to the way it was before I was shot, and I don't think this country will return to the way it was before COVID-19. As long as we continue to move forward, finding new strengths and focusing on new dreams and goals, that's fine. For what we have endured together will help us move forward into a brighter future.