Dear John,
You’ve seen the headlines — gun sales are surging as Americans worry about coronavirus. This is a reaction to fear and uncertainty about the future. It's understandable to feel these concerns. But extensive research shows MORE guns don’t make us safer.
New and inexperienced gun owners, unsafe storage, and being confined to the home are a disturbing mix that can lead to a rise in gun-related injuries and deaths. Already, every day in America, EIGHT children and teens are unintentionally injured or killed due to a gun in the home. And with more kids at home and in closer proximity to firearms, these tragedies will only increase.
That’s why we need your help in calling on governors to use their emergency powers to clamp down on the panic-buying of firearms and ammunition. Please send an email to your governor urging them to enact common-sense measures to keep us safe from gun injuries during this period of crisis.
SEND A MESSAGE NOW
We’re asking governors to enact lifesaving measures in response to surging gun sales, including:
Temporarily closing gun stores when in the interests of public safety, with exemptions for law enforcement needs.
Restricting the sales of unserialized and unregulated “ghost guns,” which can be purchased without a background check.
Using their platforms to educate the American public about safe firearm storage and the risks of introducing guns in the home.
We must all work together to protect our families and communities from the effects of coronavirus, and that includes keeping our homes and children safe from easy access to guns.
Call 480-744-3452 to Share Your Memories of Jim Brady to be Featured on Our Podcast!
Monday, March 30, marks 39 years since Jim “the Bear” Brady was shot in the head and nearly killed during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. The near-death experience took Jim's family and friends and our nation by storm. But not even a bullet could stop Jim. Alongside his wife, Sarah, they fought for — and won — the landmark Brady Bill.
We’re recording a podcast episode remembering Jim and that day that changed America, and we want to hear from you. Call 480-744-3542 before 12:00 p.m. EST Sunday, March 29, and leave a voicemail with your story! Here are some ideas on info you can share!
What were you doing when you heard that President Reagan and Jim Brady had been shot?
How did you feel?
What was happening around you?
Did it motivate you to work against gun violence?
If these topics spark your memory or resonate with you, we want to hear from you! By leaving a message, you agree that Brady can use your recording in relevant content, including our podcast episode. Leave a message now: (480) 744-3452 or anytime before 12:00 p.m. EST Sunday, March 29. And, invite your friends to listen on Monday morning. Tune in here!
We're Hosting a Webinar: COVID-19, gun sales, and what can be done.
Join Brady, Brady Legal, Team ENOUGH, Guns Down America, and more for a webinar to discuss how to prevent gun violence during COVID-19. We will explore the increase in firearm sales, what local leaders can do amid these uncertain times, and how activists can continue to demand for change.
What: COVID-19, gun sales, and what can be done
When: Thursday, April 2, 2:00 p.m. EST
Who: Brady, Brady Legal, Team ENOUGH, Guns Down America, and more!
You don't want to miss this event — register now!
REGISTER NOW
This week marked two years since the historic youth-led March for Our Lives movement launched across America. Fed up and fired up, a record 1.2 million activists mobilized in response to the gun massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. The transformative march created a new fold in the movement to prevent gun violence — one led by youth activists on an unapologetic quest to strengthen our nation’s weak gun laws.
Team ENOUGH, Brady’s youth-led initiative, joined the movement shortly after and has worked closely with the national organization and its many local chapters:
✔️Team ENOUGH and MFOL’s award-winning #WeNeedToKnow campaign helped win federal funding for gun violence research for the first time in more than 20 years.
✔️We rallied together in Richmond, Virginia, demanding the Virginia legislature pass common-sense gun reform legislation in the wake of the deadly Virginia Beach shooting.
✔️Team ENOUGH’s joint youth-led Lobbying Collective with March For Our Lives D.C. has trained dozens of student activists and lobbied dozens of lawmakers, gaining essential co-sponsors on legislation like the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2019.
We thank March for Our Lives for being an unparalleled partner in the fight to end gun violence! Today, even amid a global pandemic, our work to end gun violence will not let up. Join us and commit to using #OurPower to make a difference — even from your own home. Learn more about Team ENOUGH!
ICYMI: Here’s How You Can Prevent Gun Violence from Home!
We published a blog last week: 6 Ways to Prevent Gun Violence While Practicing Social Distancing Amid COVID-19. It’s packed with resources, podcasts, and actions you can take to prevent gun violence amid COVID-19. Working remote? Have a few minutes to spare? Read and share our blog!
READ OUR BLOG
🎧 Guns, COVID-19, and the Risk of Suicide
Social distancing is necessary to flatten the coronavirus curve — but an effect is that populations most vulnerable to isolation can be left in temporary crisis. So, how do we talk to the people we love about access to guns and suicide? Host JJ is joined by Dr. Jonathan Singer and Colleen Creighton of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) to discuss steps we can each take right now — even from home – that could save a life. Listen now.
🎧 Fighting Gun Violence While Physical Distancing
As our period of social distancing — or what's aptly called physical distancing — stretches on, you may be looking for something to do. And what better than fight gun violence? Brady President Kris Brown talks with host JJ about how you can get involved in gun violence prevention in the time of COVID-19. 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.
Download and subscribe to our podcast, “Red, Blue, and Brady” now!
The NRA Is Stoking Coronavirus Panic to Boost Gun Sales, Mother Jones
Coronavirus: Are Gun Stores Essential? Governor Newsom Side Steps that Question, Leaves it to the Counties, Mercury News
Gun Sales Surged in LA County Amid Coronavirus: Report, New York Post
How March For Our Lives Is Galvanizing Young Activists Amid A Global Pandemic, Romper
New Numbers Show Gun Sales Up 500% in S.C. in Last Week, WCBD
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!
For our last feature of the month, we are highlighting Suzanne Verge — an original Million Mom Marcher and Brady chapter leader.
On December 10, 1978, Suzanne and her family received a knock on their door that changed their lives forever. Suzanne learned that her 18-year-old brother, Peter, was shot and killed only one mile from their home. For the next 20 years, Suzanne felt alone in her grief and powerless to make a difference, until she met Donna-Dees Thomases, who was organizing the Million Mom March at the National Mall on Mother’s Day 2000.
Suzanne knew she had to go to the march; she had to be the voice for her brother who was no longer with her family. Carrying her brother’s photo in hand, Suzanne remembers seeing a sea of attendees at the historic Million Mom March. Suzanne had found her calling. Suzanne returned home and formed a Brady Chapter in Los Angeles to educate others about safe firearm storage, unintentional shootings, and more.
Today, nearly 20 years later, her passion for advocacy continues. Suzanne played a key role in leading safe storage efforts in California, helping pass a resolution asking parents to always safely store firearms. Today, we are proud to recognize Suzanne’s tireless advocacy and commitment to preventing gun violence!
“While it is understandable to seek what can feel like protection in times of upheaval, we must acknowledge the risks that bringing guns into the home pose and take all appropriate measures to mitigate that risk. Unsecured and improperly stored firearms in the home can quickly lead to unintentional shootings, what we term ‘family fire.’ These shootings injure or kill eight children or teens every day.”
— Brady President Kris Brown in Mercury News
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