John,

Tomorrow marks six years since Brady began our legal battle on behalf of Kirsten Englund, a loving mother of two, an avid birdwatcher, and a hiker. Her last journey ended in April 2013. Kirsten was driving up the Oregon coast to visit her sons when she stopped at an overlook to see a lighthouse. That’s when she was shot and killed by a stranger. 

Kirsten with her sons, Nick and Andrew Wiegardt

That stranger never should have had a firearm. He had been convicted of a felony and was using someone else’s name to illegally buy the guns. But two gun dealers made it all too easy for him to go online and purchase guns. Kirsten’s family wanted to make a difference and save other families from their mother’s fate. That’s why they reached out to Brady, to sue the gun dealers who negligently sold the weapons used to murder Kirsten.

And after a lengthy court battle, we won landmark rulings to hold the dealers accountable — setting life-saving precedent that is still used in courts today. That lawsuit resulted in the dealers paying for the harm they caused, giving some sense of justice to Kirsten’s family. And those dealers were forced to reform their business practices to prevent similar tragedies. 

John, in all of our legal victories, we send a message to members of the gun industry across the country: That if they irresponsibly sell guns, they will be held accountable.

That’s why today, we’re asking you to support Brady with a special gift in Kirsten Englund’s name. Brady is fighting in courts across the country for other families like Kirsten’s — and we’re winning. Our lawsuits are keeping guns out of the hands of those who intend to cause harm. Please help make an impact and end gun violence by supporting Brady with a generous gift today.

With thanks for your generosity,
Brady Legal

Reflecting on the January 6 Capitol Attack

Three years ago, our nation’s Capitol was attacked by violent insurrectionists. As we reflect on this dark day for our nation and our democracy, we at Brady believe we still desperately need to address what fomented that day’s violence: Second Amendment extremism. 

For decades, the NRA and the gun lobby have emboldened pro-gun vigilantes to take violent action against our lawmakers and democratic institutions. The January 6 attack was fueled by this gun extremism, mitigated by America’s lax gun laws and an ever-growing white supremacist movement.

If our reckoning of that day’s violence does not account for the role of these forces, then we have failed. Because the forces that gave rise to January 6 are still here — and they continue to threaten the very foundation of our democracy. 

As the January 6 attack in Washington, D.C., showed, strong gun laws work ― but we still have far to go. It’s why Brady continues to call on elected leaders in Congress to expand Brady Background Checks, pass the Disarm Hate Act, bolster extreme risk laws, and ban assault weapons. By passing these sensible solutions, we can safeguard our democracy and help prevent yet another attack. 

On the three-year anniversary, please listen to our podcast with Rep. Jamie Raskin and read our report to learn more and take action.

Donor Spotlight: Dr. David Hoyer

As we enter the New Year, we are proud to recognize supporters of Brady who fuel our life-saving mission to free America from gun violence.

This week, that generous supporter is Dr. David Hoyer, a Brady donor since 1987, former emergency physician, and currently a clinical assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, with an academic subspecialty of psychiatric emergencies.

As a medical student placed in an ER internship, David treated a young patient who attempted firearm suicide. This tragic event is what pushed him to be more thoughtful about gun violence prevention. 

As a Texan, David is keenly aware of our nation’s insufficient gun laws. He is particularly frustrated with the local response to the Uvalde, TX, massacre, and like many others in the state, believed that it would be a political turning point. Despite being disappointed with the most recent legislative session, David remains hopeful that the next generation of voters will continue to push for elected officials to take action and hold them accountable.

In his free time, David is an avid traveler, recently having visited Papua New Guinea. David also enjoys running, reading fiction and history, and spending time with friends and family. We thank David for his long-time support of Brady and our mission to save lives — our work is made possible by dedicated advocates like him! Please learn how you can support Brady today.

Episode 240 — Decoding the Second Amendment: A Journey Through History and its Impact on the Law Today

Dr. Noah Shusterman, author of “Armed Citizens: The Road from Ancient Rome to the Second Amendment,” joins the podcast as we explore the evolution of the right to bear arms from ancient Rome to today. Dr. Shusterman helps us unpack how many of these historic concepts continue to endure in contemporary times.

Episode 239 — Childhood Trauma, Gun Violence, and the Fight for Safe Spaces

Preventing gun violence and its impact on young people in the U.S. requires legislation, but it also requires acknowledging and addressing the root causes of trauma. To explain what's happening to America's youth and how to help, Dr. Sonali Rajan joins the podcast to discuss the roots of trauma and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on kids.

GOP Candidates Have Nothing Useful to Say About Gun Violence, Vanity Fair

California Law Banning Most Firearms in Public is Taking Effect as the Legal Fight Over it Continues, Spectrum News

Police Say 6th-grader Killed, 5 Injured by 17-Year-Old in Iowa School Shooting: Updates, USA Today

‘When You Can’t Change the Laws, Change the Lawmaker,’ Gun Control Advocate Says, Meet the Press

Brady Responds to Shooting at Perry High School, Brady

NRA Chief Wayne LaPierre Steps Down Amid Pressure, Brady

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