( CNN ) -- The former Arizona congresswoman who survived a mass shooting in her district roughly two years ago paid a visit Friday to Newtown , Connecticut , where last month a gunman killed 27 people and himself in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history . Gabrielle Giffords made the trip with her husband , Mark Kelly . The couple met with local and state leaders to discuss gun control legislation , mental health identification and treatment , and `` concerns for the erosion of our societal values such that we are increasingly desensitized to violence , '' according to Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra . `` There is an agreed-upon sense of urgency that we need to take action while we have the world 's attention , '' Llodra said of the meeting . Giffords retired from Congress last year to focus on her recovery after she was shot in the head in January 2011 . Giffords was one of 19 people shot at a political event at a shopping plaza in Tucson , Arizona , and spent months relearning how to speak and walk . Six people died in the encounter , including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge . After the Newtown shooting on December 14 , her husband vented his frustrations on Twitter . `` When will we address this problem as a nation ? The time is now ! '' Kelly wrote . Giffords ' visit came one day after Connecticut Gov . Dannel Malloy set a two-month deadline for a special commission to address the state 's gun laws , mental health policies and public security issues . He called for recommendations to be brought to the state legislature by March 15 . `` We do n't know the underlying cause of this tragedy , and we probably never will , '' Malloy said , but that is `` no reason for inaction . '' Friday 's visit also coincided with the second day of school for students from Sandy Hook Elementary , where 20 of their classmates -- all ages 6 or 7 -- were killed last month . The gunman , Adam Lanza , also gunned down six adults after killing his mother , an avid gun collector , in her Newtown home . Authorities say security measures have been increased at Chalk Hill Middle School in the nearby Connecticut town of Monroe , where Sandy Hook students are currently attending class . Their former school remains part of an active police investigation . Giffords met earlier this week with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to discuss gun control , a topic that the three-term mayor has pressed on the national stage , urging tighter restrictions on high-capacity magazines and assault rifles . Despite emotions , little happens legislatively after mass shootings . CNN 's Joe Sutton contributed to this report .
NEW : She discussed gun control and mental health treatment with local leaders . Gabrielle Giffords makes a private visit to the Connecticut town . Score: 6 The former Democrat lawmaker retired from Congress last year to focus on her recovery .