Dear John,

This Thursday was Sarah Brady’s (1942–2015) birthday. Sarah's life changed forever when her husband, Jim, was shot in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan. She and Jim dedicated their lives to passing stronger gun laws. It took six votes and over seven years, but she and Jim succeeded when they won the passage of the landmark Brady Bill, the first federal law to require background checks for gun sales.

We know Sarah would be proud of our accomplishments so far — especially how this time last year, we passed bipartisan legislation in the House to strengthen and expand Brady Background Checks to all gun sales. But that lifesaving bill is still being held up in the Senate. As we celebrate Sarah’s birthday, it is in our hands to continue her good fight.

Will you honor Sarah Brady’s birthday by urging Mitch McConnell to bring the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 a vote today? Tell Mitch to S. 42 to a vote now!

Will you honor Sarah Brady's birthday by urging Mitch McConnell to bring the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 to a vote today? [[link removed]]

Tell McConnell to act now! [[link removed]]

[[link removed]]

URGENT : Assault Weapons Ban Bill Passes Committee, Now Heads to House for Full Vote

The good news: An entire package of gun violence prevention bills are moving in the Virginia state legislature. The bad news: One important piece of legislation is facing an uphill battle — and that’s a lifesaving bill to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. It has passed out of committee, but the NRA is advocating hard against this bill, and we need to fight back.

It’s a tight timeline, which is why your support is urgent. Lawmakers only have until Tuesday, February 11, to bring this bill to a vote. From Virginia Beach, Sandy Hook, and Parkland, assault weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used time and again to kill as many people as quickly as possible. It’s common-sense that these weapons have no place in civilian hands.

If you live in Virginia: please send a message now urging your delegate to bring this lifesaving bill to a vote! [[link removed]] Already emailed? Make a phone call! Text “AWB” to 877-877 now and we’ll patch you through to your delegate’s office.

[[link removed]]

If you live outside Virginia: Please share this message on Facebook [[link removed]] . We need to reach every Virginian we know!

[link removed] [[link removed]]

State of the Union: President Trump Fails to Address Gun Violence

Many members of Congress — including Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY), Rep. Joe Neguse (CO), and Speaker Pelosi — brought survivors of gun violence [[link removed]] as their guests to Tuesday’s State of the Union address. So it was a particular affront that Trump failed to address the issue of gun violence, an epidemic that kills nearly 40,000 people in America each year. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, was murdered in the school shooting in Parkland, FL, was removed from the room [[link removed]] for speaking out.

Ultimately, President Trump’s only passing reference to gun violence came at the expense of immigrants, when he fueled false narratives about immigrants perpetuating gun crimes. But these are the facts —

✔️There's NO link between immigration and gun violence.

✔️Research shows immigrants are LESS likely to engage in crime than native-born Americans.

✔️Violent crime actually DECLINES in areas where undocumented and documented immigration rises.

We will not stand for demonizing immigrants. These racist and xenophobic myths distract away from what we know to be the root cause of gun violence: easy access to guns. While President Trump refuses to act, we must continue to demand action on gun violence. Sign our petition telling Trump every day he fails to act, he has blood on his hands [[link removed]] .

Sign our petition! [[link removed]]

[[link removed]] Coming Soon: “Voices of Parkland,” a Powerful Documentary Film

[[link removed]]

We’re proud to be part of a powerful new documentary film featuring survivors of the Parkland school shooting. Premiering February 12 [[link removed]] in Los Angeles, “ Voices of Parkland [[link removed]] ” is directed by Jeff Vespa and executive produced by Judd Apatow. The film explores the tragic shooting on February 14, 2018, when 17 students and teachers were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In days that followed, inspired by the brave survivors, Vespa traveled to Florida to interview the students, teachers and the parents of the victims, capturing over 35 testimonials. By interweaving their stories Vespa creates a raw first-person account of the tragedy and its immediate aftermath.

All proceeds from the film premiere — including special [[link removed]] merchandise created [[link removed]] by artist Shephard Fairey — will generously go to Brady and our work to end gun violence. Stay tuned on how you can make a purchase!

PURCHASE A TICKET [[link removed]]

[[link removed]]
Artist Shepard Fairey created custom prints, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and Tony-Hawk inspired skate decks for Voices of Parkland. All proceeds generously go to Brady.[[link removed]]

Brady Endorses Gun Violence Survivors for Congress

In honor of Gun Violence Survivor Week, a time to recognize survivors of gun violence and the state of the gun violence epidemic in the United States, Brady endorsed five gun violence survivors for re-election:

* Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01) understands the toll gun violence can take. Tragically, his youngest son Huey was shot and killed in 1999. Even before this tragedy, Rep. Rush championed common-sense violence prevention and gun safety laws with particular concern for the most vulnerable and underserved communities.

* Rep. James Langevin (RI-02) knows the damage that guns can cause, as he survived an accidental shooting. In return, he has dedicated his career to preventing gun violence, championing numerous gun violence prevention bills that closes loopholes, expands Brady Background Checks, and more. 

* Rep Steven Horsford (NV-04) has made gun violence prevention a top issue, as it is personal to him, having lost his father to gun violence at age 19. Throughout his time in Congress, he has consistently championed gun violence prevention policies to make our country safer. 

* Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12) has witnessed domestic violence firsthand, and the added danger of when a gun is involved. In Congress, Rep. Dingell introduced the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act of 2019, which closes a loophole that allows non-married partners access to guns.

* Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) is Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and a survivor of gun violence. She has played an integral role in advancing bipartisan legislation like H.R.8 and H.R. 1112.  

Throughout 2020, Brady will continue to issue endorsements for gun violence prevention champions. In the meantime, see if your representative is endorsed by Brady [[link removed]] !

Visit our elections page! [[link removed]]

[[link removed]] Brady Launches a Podcast Series on Racial Justice, Gun violence, and Gun Violence Prevention

Each week during Black History Month, we will honor the many activists, survivors, elected officials, academics, and others who have fought to prevent gun violence in America, including using their voices to draw attention to the disproportionate effects gun violence has on Black and Brown communities.

This week, podcast host JJ is joined by Kelly Sampson, Counsel at Brady; Aalayah Eastmond, a survivor of the Parkland school shooting and a member of the Team ENOUGH executive council; and Tatiana Washington, an executive council member of Team ENOUGH and advocacy associate at March for Our Lives. Tatiana and Aalayah speak about being young women of color in the movement to end gun violence, allyship, racism, and how the movement can — and must — address racial justice. Listen to “If They’d Just Listen,” the first racial justice podcast of many to come [[link removed]] .

Listen now! [[link removed]]

[[link removed]]

(L-R) Tatiana Washington, Aalayah Eastmond, and Brady President Kris Brown attend a protest to remember the late Atatiana Jefferson, who was shot and killed by a police officer in her own home.

[[link removed]] California Legislature Honors Longtime Leaders Amanda & Nick Wilcox

[[link removed]]

(From L-R)

This week, longtime Brady leaders Amanda and Nick Wilcox were honored by the California State Legislature with a resolution for their commitment to gun violence prevention. Nineteen years ago, their daughter Laura Wilcox was shot and killed in a workplace shooting. Heartbroken but fiercely resolved, Amanda and Nick turned personal tragedy into public action and, eventually, political triumph. Amanda and Nick are responsible for the passage of over 80 gun safety laws in the past 15 years.

Their success has made California a leader in gun violence prevention, helping create a safer state and nation for all. Brady and the entire movement will miss alongside Amanda and Nick, their expertise on gun violence prevention, and determination to honor Laura and end gun violence. Thank you for everything, Amanda and Nick!

[link removed] [[link removed]]

Watch our video thanking Amanda and Nick for their unmatchable service [[link removed]] .
[[link removed]]


[[link removed]]

[[link removed]]

Follow Brady

[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
840 First Street, NE
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
United States

Paid for by the Brady Campaign. Contributions to the Brady Campaign are not tax deductible.

Our work is made possible by supporters like you.

[link removed] [[link removed]]

Emails are crucial for communicating with top members of the Brady Campaign team. To put an end to the gun violence epidemic, we need you on board every step of the way. However, if you would prefer to receive fewer emails, click here to update your contact preferences. [[link removed]] If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed]