Dear John,
Right now, people across the country are practicing social distancing — but that doesn’t mean our advocacy has to stop! In fact, with gun sales skyrocketing and more children and families at home and in closer proximity to firearms, it’s more important than ever that we keep up the fight to prevent gun violence. Here’s how you can prevent gun violence while practicing social distancing amid COVID-19:
We know that every day in America, eight children and teens are unintentionally injured or killed due to Family Fire, and approximately 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms. With families across the country facing more time at home and new living or childcare arrangements, it is important that we have ongoing conversations about responsible gun ownership and safe storage practices.
Looking for more ways to prevent gun violence from home? Read more in our blog: 6 Ways to Prevent Gun Violence While Practicing Social Distancing Amid COVID-19.
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Four Years Have Passed Since the Unintentional Shooting of J.R. Gustafson — Brady Legal Continues to Demand Justice
Friday marked four years since 13-year-old J.R. Gustafson was shot and killed in an unintentional shooting by another child. On behalf of J.R. and his family, Brady Legal sued the gun manufacturer, Springfield Armory, and the dealer for product liability.
13-year-old J.R. Gustafson before he was unintentionally shot and killed.
Our suit claims that this tragedy could have been prevented had the manufacturer included common-sense safety features to the firearm — including a magazine disconnect safety feature — that disables the gun when the magazine is removed. Last year, a trial judge dismissed the suit, citing a harmful federal law called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which provides the gun industry with special protections unlike any other industry in the world. But we did not let up in fighting for justice for J.R. and his family.
We appealed the decision to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. We expect to hear a decision from the court soon, and we look forward to securing justice for the Gustafsons. For more updates on our legal work, sign up for the Brady Legal Alliance newsletter.
🎧 Guns at Home And COVID-19
How can you comfortably ask friends and family members about whether they’re storing their firearms safely? Brady's Dr. Kyleanne Hunter gets tips from gun owner, parent, and PTA leader Leslie LaRue. Listen now!
🎧 Cutting the Knot
JJ and Kelly are joined by Victoria M Rodríguez-Roldán, the Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Justice Project Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. They discuss the idea that mental health is linked to gun violence and how police misconduct, racism, transphobia, homophobia, and misogyny are all part of our gun violence problem. Listen now!
Are you practicing social distancing amid COVID-19? Use this time of solitude and social distancing to binge on our podcast! Launched this past fall, "Red, Blue, and Brady" combines current events and personal narratives to explore America's gun violence epidemic. Stay tuned for new episodes featuring public health experts and advocates and leaders from the Parent Teacher Association! Download and subscribe to our podcast, Red, Blue, and Brady now!
Gun Sales Surge as Coronavirus Grips U.S., The Hill
As the Coronavirus Pandemic Grows, Gun Sales are Surging in Many States, Los Angeles Times
Run on Guns, Ammo Sparked by ‘Growing Panic’ Surrounding Coronavirus Outbreak in Texas, Fort Worth Star Telegram
Throughout Women’s History Month, we’re recognizing the incredible women of the historic Million Mom March. In 2001, the Million Mom March merged with Brady, forming the backbone of our 90 Brady grassroots chapters. Read more about the Million Mom March!
This week we are highlighting Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) — two members of the original Million Mom March who continue to champion common-sense gun reform in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Maloney (D-NY) played an integral role in advancing and organizing the Million Mom March. She sponsored a bus from New York City to Washington, D.C., helping transport dozens of mothers and daughters to the march. In the early 2000s, Rep. Maloney also stood with mothers on Mother’s Day by delivering thousands of postcards to then Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, calling for immediate change in our gun laws so no more mothers would suffer a child killed due to gun violence.
Rep. Scanlon (D-PA) was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018, but her commitment to preventing gun violence began after the devastating Columbine massacre. Rep. Scanlon paid for a bus and gathered dozens of friends, family members, and neighbors to attend the Million Mom March in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Scanlon was preventing gun violence even before she was elected to Congress!
Today, Brady has come full circle with Reps. Maloney and Scanlon, as we’ve endorsed both of them for re-election in 2020 and continue to work with them in Congress. We are proud to recognize their tireless advocacy and commitment to preventing gun violence in all its forms. For Women’s History Month, send both Reps. a Tweet thanking them for their service — from the Million Mom March to current day!
— Brady President Kris Brown in Newsweek
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