Last night 3 people were killed by a shooter armed with an assault weapon in Jacksonville, FL. The first 24 hours after a deadly shooting are among the most critical. We have to rise up and show our commitment to ending gun violence now, while eyes are on this crisis. Will you rush a donation right now to help us pass life-saving legislation and end gun violence?

John, this Tuesday would have been Jim Brady's 83rd birthday. He was a gun violence survivor who dedicated his life to fighting for change – like me and so many others in our movement. And today, I'm counting on your help: We've set a goal to raise $50,000 to honor Jim Brady's legacy and recommit to fighting for life-saving gun reforms. Can you chip in?

Jim's life was shattered when he was shot in the head in 1981 while serving as White House press secretary. Jim survived, but he was left permanently paralyzed. He was forced to leave his dream job and struggled with lifelong health complications stemming from the gunshot wound. These complications took his life in 2014.

But even when faced with so many challenges — physical and emotional — Jim refused to let this tragedy stop him. He dedicated the rest of his life to ending gun violence, opposing the gun lobby, and using his story to inspire change. And he won, John. He gave his name to the Brady Background Check System, the bill he helped pass with fierce determination. It’s the system stopping illegal purchases to this day.

As a gun violence survivor myself, Jim's dedication inspires me to keep advocating for change, no matter how difficult and painful it gets. The only way to win this fight is if every single one of us embodies the commitment and hope that Jim lived by. Please, will you make a gift now to help us hit our $50,000 goal and continue Jim's fight to end gun violence?

The gun lobby has had a vice-like grip on Washington for decades — something Jim knew firsthand. Today, far too many of our leaders are nothing more than the NRA's pocket politicians. They're happy to accept huge campaign checks in exchange for blocking the gun safety reforms that their constituents have spent decades calling for.

But change is possible. The package of gun safety reforms that we finally won last year proved what's possible when we follow in Jim's footsteps and refuse to give up. Now, as we head into a huge election year, we must continue to hold these politicians' feet to the fire.

That starts with ensuring that we have the resources to organize voters and hold leaders accountable at every single level — from our neighborhoods to the hall of Congress. Our work is more important than ever, so please, will you honor Jim's legacy of action by making a donation to power our movement today? There are only a few days to hit our $50,000 goal, so I'm really counting on you to step up.

Thank you so much for your support,

Liz Dunning
Gun Violence Survivor
Vice President of Development