Dear John,
Yesterday marked two years since the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, when a gunman armed with an AR-15-style rifle killed 17 people and injured 17 others. The events that followed both galvanized and paralyzed our nation.
The galvazination comes from millions of young activists fighting to end gun violence. The paralysis comes from lawmakers who refuse to pass sensible gun laws to prevent tragedies.
Young people shouldn’t have to beg lawmakers like Mitch McConnell to take action. Yet this week, student activists were forced to do just that, organizing a sit-in at Mitch McConnell’s office to demand he do something. Now more than ever, we need to stand beside our nation’s young people and do our part to end senseless gun violence. We can do that by demanding McConnell bring forward legislation to ban assault weapons, once and for all.
Will you tell Mitch McConnell to ban assault weapons now?
How We Honored Parkland Victims and Survivors
Change the Ref is an advocacy group that uses art to inspire action to end gun violence. It's led by Manny and Patricia Oliver, whose son, Joaquin "Guac" Oliver, was among the 17 students and educators murdered in Parkland.
Alongside a small group of Parkland survivors, teachers, and student activists, we joined Change the Ref in passing out specially printed newspapers to passersby. The catch? The newspaper featured the same headline over and over again — representing mass shooing after mass shooting in Amerca. What are we doing to stop this?
(l-r) Team ENOUGH leaders Aalayah Eastmond, Arielle Geismar, and Kaylee Tyner yesterday outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Tell McConnell to act!
On February 13, 2018, Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer was shot and killed while pursuing a suspect. The gunman had a felony conviction, which barred him from legally purchasing firearms. But he was able to buy a gun through Armlist.com, a website that allows private gun sales — no questions asked.
What’s Armlist.com? And Why Are Its Practices So Dangerous?
Armslist.com is the largest online marketplace for firearms, facilitating the sale of thousands of firearms across the United States without Brady Background Checks. Because of this, sales facilitated by Armslist.com are a major source of crime guns — weapons used and retrieved at the scene of a crime — in the United States. Armslist.com frequently enables criminals to buy and sell guns online.
Bottom Line: Selling Guns Without Background Checks Endanger Us All
We filed the lawsuit on behalf of Commander Bauer’s widow because she does not want any other family to suffer as she and her famly has. We’re proud to fight for justice on behalf of Commander Bauer, who was a 31-year veteran of the Chicago police department. We look forward to proving our case in court. Read more about our involvement in this case.
Virginia’s Bill to Ban Assault Weapons Advances AGAIN!
Last week, we asked for your help in urging the Virginia House of Delegates to pass an assault weapons ban. Well, our advocacy was a success! Thanks to calls, emails, and lobbying by Virginians, the bill passed 51-48. But our fight isn’t over. Now, the bill is going to the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee.
>> Do you live in Virginia? Please send a message now urging your Senator to pass this lifesaving legislation!
>> Not a Virginian? Please share this image on Facebook to help us reach as many Virginians as possible!
Don’t Miss Our Racial Justice Podcast Series
🎧 The World Turned Upside Down
It's the first full-length episode of Brady's series on racial justice, gun violence, and gun violence prevention! JJ and Kelly are joined by Dr. Saul Cornell to discuss the ways the modern gun debate intersects with the history of race relations in America. Listen now.
Each week during Black History Month, you can expect a new podcast discussing racial justice, gun violence, and gun violence prevention. We will feature activists, survivors, elected officials, and academics, 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. Don’t miss out on this wonderful series.
U.S. House to Vote on D.C. Statehood for First time in 30 Years
This week, Congress advanced legislation for D.C. statehood for the first time in since 1993. This is historic progress! On average, a person in Washington, D.C. is killed with a gun every three days. Yet without representation in Congress, the city's 700,000 residents have no power to pass common-sense gun safety laws. Learn more about our work with 51 for 51.
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) has dedicated her life to preventing gun violence after her son, Jordan, was shot and killed in 2012. In 2018, Rep. McBath was elected to Congress on a gun violence prevention platform, and has advanced key legislation since. She was an original sponsor of H.R.8, helped secure $25 million for federal funding to research gun violence, and has served as Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
Rep. Harley Rouda (CA-48) has been a consistent champion of gun safety policies that will keep Orange County families safe. He played an integral role in ensuring that last year’s funding bill contained funding for federal research on gun violence.
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) has been a constant advocate for gun violence prevention. He has given a voice to the people of Long Beach and Orange County who demand action on gun violence prevention. Time and again, he has proven that he will fight to prevent gun violence in Congress.
Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09 ) has demonstrated his commitment to ensuring Congress passes comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation. He has championed policies such as H.R.8 and H.R. 1112 — both of which would expand and strengthen Brady Background Checks — and helped to pass bills that will make Californians safer.
This week, we were in Los Angeles for the star-studded premiere of "Voices of Parkland." Directed by Jeff Vespa and executive produced by Judd Apatow, this powerful documentary film features 35 first-person accounts of the tragedy and its immediate aftermath. The film premiere generously benefited Brady and our work to end gun violence. Stay tuned for updates on when the film will be screened in your area.
Learn more about
Voices of Parkland
Following the film premiere, Brady President Kris Brown joined a panel talk. From l-r: LALA Magazine’s Jessica Kantor, Director Jeff Vespa, Brady President Kris Brown, Parkland survivor and advocate Kai Koerber, Parkland survivor and advocate April Schentrup, and Urban Peace Institute Executive Director Fernando Rejón.
Team ENOUGH San Diego members with actress Andie MacDowell.
In honor of the film, artist Shepard Fairey designed art for limited edition t-shirts. For every product sold, prinkshop will donate $5 to Brady. Purchase a t-shirt now.
Learn more about
Voices of Parkland
Thank you to Jeff Vespa, Judd Apatow, and LALA Magazine. And a huge thanks to our Host Committee: Anita Greenspan & Mark Mothersbaugh, Joan & Steve Flagg, Gwen Geller, Amanda & Shepard Fairey, Tony Hawk & Catherine Goodman, Christy Callahan & Jonathan Glickman, Christina & David Arquette, Michelle Stockwell, Elizabeth Shoemaker, Juano Queen & Jessica Smith, Jay Polstein & Claire Rudnick Polstein, Harry Litman, Rise Johnson, Stephanie Parr & Josh Rosenfeld, Ben Wexler, Ross Misher, Denise and Chris Connolly, Sharon Gillenwater and Andrew Keeler, Davida & Chris Hall, Kara Chine, Allison Shaw, Adam O'Byrne and Jason Segel.
Brady Campaign's Kyleanne Hunter: "Unacceptable" for Trump to make gun reform partisan, Hardball with Chris Matthews
Family of Chicago Police Commander Killed in the Line of Duty Sues Online Gun Marketplace, Chicago Tribune
Virginia House Passes Assault-Weapon Ban,Wall Street Journal
Parkland School Shooting Survivors Recall Harrowing Details in ‘Voices of Parkland’ Documentary, Variety
How Moms Are Quietly Passing Gun Safety Policy Through School Boards, NBC News
A sticker created by Change the Ref's Patricia and Manny Oliver in honor of their son Joaquin "Guac" Oliver, who was killed in the Parkland shooting. (Photo by Team ENOUGH member Kaylee Tyner.)
"Every single Democratic candidate is putting gun violence front and center...and it’s because the American people are demanding it. They’re sick of the kids being gunned down."
— Brady Vice President of Programs Kyleanne Hunter on Hardball
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