John, it's Bradley Whitford. You might know me from the West Wing or The Handmaid's Tale, where I’ve played characters battling tough political climates and dangerous leaders — but I'm emailing you today because of the very real threat facing our country.

Today is a solemn reminder of the tragedy that gun violence continues to bring to our country. Yesterday marked one year since a gunman entered that school armed with an assault weapon and killed 19 fourth graders and two teachers.

One year later, the horror of that day still sits with us. The long hour of waiting and dread as this gunman terrorized school children. The pictures and videos of parents at the police barricade, desperately trying to reach their children. The stories of 9 and 10-year-olds watching their friends be gunned down with a weapon of war in their own classrooms, just two days before their summer break.

But grief and solidarity are not enough for these children and their families, we must also commit ourselves to action. Because the truth is, until we finally defeat the gun lobby, we're only going to see more and more shootings just like the one in Uvalde.

That's why I'm partnering with Brady to ban assault weapons and end gun violence. And today, I'm asking you to join us. Please, will you respond to this live survey before midnight tonight to support Brady in the fight to protect our children from gun violence? This survey will close at midnight, so it's important to respond as soon as you can.

Should Congress ban assault weapons?

It feels like every time we check the news, there's another horrific story about a gunman armed with an assault weapon. This violence is devastating our communities. Just a couple of weeks ago, there were two back-to-back shootings in Texas that killed 13 people. During one of them, a 6-year-old boy watched his mother, his father, and his younger brother be shot to death in a mall. He only survived because his mother shielded him from the bullets with her own body.

No other country has to sit through this cycle of senseless, endless violence. It doesn't have to be this way. The majority of Americans want an assault weapons ban, and the only thing standing between us and a country free from gun violence is the gun lobby and their corrupt pocket politicians.

Brady is fighting everyday to elect gun safety champions, undermine the NRA's influence, and advocate for the reforms that families need. So please, as we remember the victims of Uvalde and their families today — will you respond to this live survey to demand that Congress finally pass an assault weapons ban? 

Should Congress ban assault weapons?

Thank you for taking the time to read this email and for never giving up on the fight for a better, safer future.

With immense gratitude,

Bradley Whitford