SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah politicians are reacting to the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Saturday with both sadness and frustration. Two have close ties to the congresswoman.

"We're shocked. We're outraged. We're saddened and we're hoping for the best," Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, said at a news conference.

Matheson described Giffords as a friend -- someone who serves alongside him in the Blue Dog Coalition and the House Science Committee.

"She was in politics for all the right reasons," said Matheson. "She wanted to make the world a better place and she wanted to do right by her constituents."

Matheson continued, "This is an outrage that this sort of thing could happen in our country. We're a country about ideas. We're not a country about violence."

The news was just as shocking to Congressman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. Giffords recently moved into the office next door to his in Washington, D.C.

Chaffetz condemned the violence, saying it was natural to disagree politically but never justified to take extreme action such as this.

"Speaker Boehner recently said we can disagree, but we shouldn't be disagreeable. The magic that is the USA is our ability to interact and disagree but at the end of the day shake hands and put arms around each other," he told KSL Saturday.

Chaffetz also issued an official statement, saying, "This type of senseless act of violence should never happen. My thoughts and prayers are with all of today's victims and their families. May God bless her and all those affected by this tragedy."

Related:

Arizona Rep. Giffords shot, at least 5 killed

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head Saturday when an assailant opened fire outside a grocery store during a meeting with constituents, killing at least five people and wounding several others in a rampage that rattled the nation.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, offered his condolences, saying, "Today I join every Utahn and American in condemning this senseless and brutal act of violence in Tuscon. This is a national tragedy and we all mourn those who lost their lives. Acts and threats of violence have no place in our political discourse or in a civil society."

Shooter opens fire

Giffords was meeting with constituents outside a grocery store in Tuscon when a gunman, identified as 22-year-old Jared Loughner, opened fire.

Giffords was shot in the head and least 11 other people were wounded in the attack. Six people are confirmed dead, including a 9-year-old child, a Giffords staffer and a federal judge.

Doctors at the hospital where Giffords is being treated say her outlook is "optimistic" and that she was responding to questions and commands.

Threats to public officials rising

Meanwhile, threats to public officials are skyrocketing in recent weeks. The Senate sergeant of arms was quoted by politico.com as saying threats against members of Congress were up 300 percent in the first few months of 2010. Capitol police requested a 54-percent budget increase to fund travel for dignitary protection officers in 2011.

Politicians say protection could increase following the Arizona shooting.

"This act shows there are vulnerabilities," said Matheson. "I'm sure there's going to be discussion as to if policy needs to change."

Chaffetz says the shootings shed light on the potential danger of political extremism.

"I want to be as accessible as I possibly can. I don't want to clam up and hide somewhere, but at the same time you worry about that one errant person who's just a little more than off balance who just does something stupid," he said.

The Utah lawmakers also extended sympathies to all the victims of the shootings.

Story compiled with contributions from Sarah Dallof, Dennis Romboy and the DMC News Division.

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