LYNN – After a gunman opened fire at a political event in Arizona Saturday, killing six people and leaving U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords clinging to life, local politicians are struggling to come to grips with the horrific shooting.Giffords, 40, is said to have been the target of the tragedy which left the three-term congresswoman in critical condition after a bullet passed through her head. Arizona?s chief federal judge, John Roll was one of those killed in the attack.The shooter, Jared Loughner, 22, allegedly purchased the Glock pistol used in the attack in November at Sportsman?s Warehouse in Tucson. Federal prosecutors have since brought charges against him.?This is a terrible, personal tragedy and our hearts ache for Gabbie, her family and her staff,” said U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney. “Gabbie is a good person first, and a smart and honorable member of Congress as well. This type of incident cannot be condoned if our nation is to continue as a Democratic Republic.”A moderate Democrat, Giffords was narrowly re-elected in November over a tea party candidate who aimed to remove her from office over her support of the health care law. Several violent outbursts targeted toward her have since happened, including the vandalizing of her Tucson office and someone showing up at a recent event with a weapon.?Things get pretty heated in my office sometimes, but never to the point where I would think someone would pull out a gun,” said Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. “Clearly that man is disturbed.”Loughner was tackled to the ground and arrested after the shooting and labeled as mentally unstable, according to Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik.Giffords was among 14 people wounded in the incident that killed six people, including 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Greene, Gabe Zimmerman, 30, an aide for the Democratic lawmaker and Roll, who had just stopped by to see his friend Giffords after attending Mass.?I was just disgusted when I heard about this,” said Peabody Mayor Michael Bonfanti. “What the hell is wrong with people?”Having been the target of several threats in the past, Bonfanti said he takes precautions for his safety on a daily basis, but refuses to live in fear.?I?ve had people waiting in the parking lot for me, walking into my office and startling me, so I?ve learned to take precautions,” he said. “But should I walk around with an armed guard? Absolutely not. I don?t want to see the country become prisoners in their own homes.”Lynn City Council President Timothy Phelan said while he?s never felt unsafe at a public event or in the confines of City Hall, he?s become increasingly aware over time to be alert of his surroundings.?Let?s face it, there are crazy people everywhere, but why do we allow someone to have a gun with a clip of so many rounds of ammunition at one sitting,” he said. “The real issue here is access to guns. A 9-year-old girl was killed? It?s just unbelievable.”According to reports, Giffords? spokesman C.J. Karamargin said three staffers were shot as Loughner opened fire indiscriminately. Two are expected to survive, but Zimmerman, a former social worker who served as Giffords? director of community outreach, died.Lynn City Councilor At-Large Daniel Cahill said the shooting has had a chilling effect on American Democracy.?This isn?t a Republican or Democratic issue, it?s a wicked act,” he said. “I don?t want to have to go through a metal detector just to shake hands with my governor, but you have to wonder if we?re going to have to have full-time security now for all politicians.”During Giffords? re-election campaign in November, her Republican challenger and former Marine Jesse Kelly is said to have held fundraisers where he urged supports to help unseat Giffords by joining him to shoot a fully loaded M-16 rifle. Kelly, who served in Iraq, was allegedly pictured on his Web site in military gear, while holding his automatic weapon, promoting an event.Kennedy pondered whether the shooter bought into Kelly?s mess