Kathy Ritchie/KJZZ

Jennifer Longdon

Arizona Democratic Rep. Jennifer Longdon testified Thursday before the U.S. House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee on the public health consequences and costs of gun violence.

Longdon is a victim of gun violence. She was shot and paralyzed 15 years ago.

"Mr. Chair, I am dying in slow motion," she said. "My life will be cut short by the complications of my gunshot wound. I’ve lost count of my near misses. The falls, the fractures, the pressure sores and hospitalizations."  

Longdon told KJZZs The Show that in Arizona, we spend $1.9 billion annually in direct costs as a result of gun violence.