John,

I want to be clear about something: Every action you take – from signing a petition, to making a call, to donating – makes a difference in our movement to save lives. 

Even if it feels like a small thing, the culmination of our small actions has a huge impact on our fight to end our nation’s gun violence epidemic – and, on a personal note, it means a lot to me.

I’m a gun violence survivor. Almost 20 years ago, my mom was shot and killed answering the door to our home and my family and I were changed forever. Each day, I’m working to stop another person from feeling the loss that should be unimaginable, but is intimately known to me and others who have lived through the tragedy of losing someone to gun violence. 

I work with Brady because we have been and continue to be a leader in this movement. It’s why so many survivors lead at Brady and why survivors like Fred Guttenberg and Steve Kerr work with us and stay dedicated to this work: Because we know the solutions that will save lives and we have the power to change the country for the better – but only if we work together, with dedication, passion, and trust in our movement. 

This work to change the country, to create a better future for my kids, is not easy – sometimes it’s actually the hardest thing I do in a day, but I know it’s making a difference. It doesn’t take away my pain, but it does add more good to the world – and when we work together, that good can soon overcome the violence and the tragedy. Each time you choose to engage with Brady, you’re furthering our lifesaving mission and for that I am truly grateful.

Because I’ve witnessed the impact of our cumulative small actions: Just this year, we saw the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention – for which Brady has advocated for years – we’ve seen gun safety victories in states like California, Michigan, and Illinois, and we’ve continued to break the gun lobby’s vice grip on Congress. 

My mom was never waiting for someone else to make a change, to do the work. In the front hallway of our home, where my mom was found murdered, there were also the bags of clothes that she’d collected from neighbors to donate during the holidays. Doing the work for her family and for her community was who she was and it’s one of the many parts of her that I let guide me still today. 

I’m not going to wait for someone else to change this country – that’s why I work at Brady to lead the fight for change every day, to continue the fight we started decades ago.

So, will you take a moment to take action in a small and impactful way today? Add your name to Brady’s petition calling on Congress to ban assault weapons and continue to push our lawmakers toward lifesaving action. Together, we can get weapons of war off our street and continue to change our country for the better. 

Thank you for taking meaningful action once again, John. I’m glad you’re in this fight. 

Liz Dunning
Gun Violence Survivor

Chief Development & Engagement Officer