Hi John,

Less than a month ago, our country experienced its worst mass shooting this year in Lewiston, ME, when a gunman opened fire on a bowling alley and family restaurant with an assault rifle. He killed 18 people and changed the community forever. And even as we mourned the shooting in Lewiston, there were hundreds of shootings that did not even make the news. 

That’s why, yesterday, I joined lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee to discuss the action we can take right now to stop the next tragedy. Will you sign onto Brady’s urgent petition urging lawmakers to take common sense action to fight gun violence? I want lawmakers to see that this is the change that Americans really want. 

That's me and Rep. Jamie Raskin after the gun violence prevention roundtable!

Representatives Jamie Raskin, Maxwell Frost, and Jared Moskowitz hosted advocates, community leaders, and experts to examine the epidemic of gun violence and realistic reforms to prevent the senseless loss of life – like expanding Brady background checks, holding the gun lobby accountable, and banning deadly assault weapons like the one used in Lewiston. 

These lawmakers are listening to the urgent calls for change from the American people and I was excited to discuss common sense, lifesaving policies that we could implement to stop the next tragedy. But unfortunately, not enough of our lawmakers are ready for action. Too many are offering empty thoughts and prayers in the face of yet another mass murder by a gunman armed with a weapon of war and are ignoring the everyday gun violence happening in our communities. 

We’re up against a lot of gun lobby obstruction, with too many bought-and-paid-for electeds doing their deadly bidding in office, so it’s up to all of us to speak out together and overcome this insidious gun influence.

I know that these lawmakers are ready to fight for change, but they need as much support behind them as possible. Will you sign onto our petition urging Congress to take immediate action to address gun violence and save lives?

Thanks for taking action with us, John.

Kelly Sampson

Senior Counsel and Director of Racial Justice