Friend, Just when we thought the gun lobby and their friends in power couldn’t stoop lower, they have proved us wrong.
Right now, lawmakers in Indiana are trying to pass legislation with the sole purpose of ending a lawsuit to hold gun manufacturers and dealers accountable for years of negligent and unlawful practices that have fueled gun violence in the city of Gary, IN.
And even if you don’t live in Indiana, you need to be paying attention. Let me tell you why.
In 1999, Brady filed suit on behalf of more than 30 major cities nationwide against major gun manufacturers working to expose the role of the gun industry in supplying the criminal gun market. One by one, these cases were picked off, largely due to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which was passed at the behest of the gun lobby and gave the gun industry special protections.
But despite the gun industry making every effort to destroy these cases, one remained: Gary, Indiana.
Now, after 25 years of overcoming obstacles, the City of Gary’s lawsuit has been allowed to enter into discovery, granting the City access to decades worth of relevant documents and testimony from the gun industry. Make no mistake, this case has the power to force industry-wide reform nation-wide, just as previous lawsuits against major tobacco companies changed the entire tobacco industry.
Friend, this bill in Indiana is a last-ditch effort by the gun lobby to kill the City of Gary’s lawsuit and protect gun industry profits. Lawmakers supporting this bill are doing the gun industry’s bidding and the cost is human lives and communities suffering. We cannot allow the gun industry to continue operating as if they are above the law without any incentive to adopt even the most basic safety practices. We need to do all we can to stop this bill from passing or we will be paying for it with our lives.
Please, help us spread the word and if you have friends or family in Indiana, tell them to contact their lawmakers and urge them to OPPOSE HB1235. Brady’s team is in full force, working to stop this dangerous bill. If you’re looking for a way to help, you can also support our efforts to hold the gun industry accountable by making a gift today.
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In solidarity,
Kris Brown
Brady President |
We’re Headed to the Sundance Film Festival to Discuss Hollywood’s Role in Preventing Gun Violence |
EXCITING NEWS! Tomorrow, gun violence prevention will take the main stage at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where Brady will host “Storytelling and Gun Safety: Changing the Narrative to Save Lives.” We’ll discuss Hollywood’s role in preventing gun violence by modeling responsible gun ownership and showing the consequences of reckless gun use on screen. Speakers include Rep. Maxwell Frost, Brady President Kris Brown, and prominent Hollywood creatives, including Producer Jelani Johnson, Actor Clark Gregg, Producer Laura Lewis, and Richard Rushfield of The Ankler.
This conversation couldn’t be more timely. In recent years, guns have become the number one killer of kids in America. To prevent this violence, we need to flip the script — and we know America’s culture-makers can help. From smoking to drunk driving to seatbelt use, Hollywood has always played a key role in influencing cultural attitudes and behaviors to create life-saving change.
We look forward to discussing how we can empower our nation’s storytellers to transform America’s deadly relationship with guns through Brady’s Show Gun Safety Campaign. We’ll tell you more about this special event next weekend. In the meantime, please join us in learning more about our work with the Hollywood community.
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Ethan Song would have turned 21 years old this week. But in 2015, he died after he was unintentionally shot with a gun that had been left unsecured at a friend’s home. Had the gun, which was owned by his friend’s father, been stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition, Ethan would be here today.
Tragically, Ethan is not alone: Each day in America, eight children and teens are killed or injured by family fire, a shooting involving an improperly stored or misused gun in the home that results in death or injury.
In the years since Ethan's death, his parents, Kristin and Michael Song, have dedicated their lives to gun violence prevention, fighting to pass a federal safe gun storage law to protect other children from what ended their son’s life. We at Brady are in awe of the Songs and their tireless advocacy to save lives. As we remember Ethan on what would be his 21st birthday, please join us in learning more about his story and how we can all prevent family fire.
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Donor Spotlight: Brian and Ginny Ruder |
We at Brady are proud to recognize supporters of Brady who fuel our life-saving mission to free America from gun violence. This week, those generous supporters are Brian and Ginny Ruder, who have contributed to Brady since 1981 after Brian’s uncle was shot and killed in a New York City robbery. This tragedy led the Ruders to support Brady because of our dedication to reducing the flow of firearms used in crimes, aka “crime guns.”
There’s an old adage, Brian said, “concentrate to dominate,” and he feels Brady is smart to focus on the 5% of gun dealers who are responsible for 90% of guns recovered in crime. Brian says, “The name of the game is going after people in the courts. That’s where you can get a win and hit them where it hurts. Companies sell guns to make money, so it makes sense to hit them in the pocketbook. I like that Brady has assembled a cadre of incredible lawyers.”
For Ginny, the most important part of this work is advocating for Americans to safely store their guns and speaking to youth who grew up with active shooter drills and the threat of school shootings. She feels we must engage youth leaders, like Brady’s youth-led initiative, Team ENOUGH, does to counter the notion of arming teachers.
In the Ruders' free time, you can find them enjoying outdoor activities near their lake house and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
We thank the Ruders for their long-time support of Brady and our mission to save lives — our work is made possible by dedicated supporters like them. Please learn how you can support Brady today. | Episode 242: “A Survivor and Educator on the Need for Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy”
Jonathan Brocco, a school administrator, got involved in gun violence prevention after one of his students lost a brother in the 2018 Waffle House mass shooting. Sadly, soon after this tragedy, Jonathan was directly impacted by gun violence when his father died by firearm suicide in 2019. In the wake of that combined trauma, he has called for sweeping gun reform. Jonathan joins the podcast to discuss both his own loss and the challenges educators and administrators face as they grapple with the reality of school shootings and gun violence impacting students.
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ICYMI: Tip Sheet 2024; Mistake of Making Musicals; Richard in Sundance, The Ankler
Opinion - Why Justices Should Protect Public From Bump Stocks, Law Dragon 360 Brady Panel at Sundance Film Festival on Hollywood's Role in Preventing Gun Violence to Feature Brady, Rep. Maxwell Frost, and Filmmakers, Yahoo Finance
35 Years Later, Community Still Mourn Lives Lost in Cleveland Elementary School Shooting, Local News Matters
Gary Gun Industry Lawsuit Proceeds, Chicago Tribune
House Democrats Push for Gun Reform Legislation, Ask GOP for Help, The Grio |
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