Friend, As we await an imminent decision from the Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi, we want to remind you what’s at stake.
In November 2023, Supreme Court Justices heard oral arguments in the case, which challenges a federal law prohibiting individuals subject to a qualifying domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. The challenge came after a Texas man who was involved in five separate shootings was convicted for possessing firearms while under a domestic violence restraining order that prohibited him from doing so. In the aftermath, he challenged the very law that led to his conviction and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor.
This case before the Supreme Court will determine whether individuals subject to qualifying domestic violence restraining orders can be prohibited from possessing firearms. And the outcome will have life-and-death consequences.
The facts speak for themselves. Firearms are the most common weapons used in domestic violence homicides. Every 12 hours, someone is shot and killed by an intimate partner, and the mere presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times as likely that a woman will be killed. If the Supreme Court allows the Fifth Circuit decision to stand, the outcome will be deadly — particularly for domestic violence victims, survivors, and children.
That’s why Brady, alongside over two dozen coalition partners, filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to protect survivors of domestic abuse and overturn the Fifth Circuit’s reckless ruling.
We will continue to monitor the situation, and plan to keep all of our supporters updated on this crucial Supreme Court decision. In the meantime, please join us in learning more about the case by reading our webpage or listening to our podcast explainer.
|
|
|
We’re Making Historic Progress in States Nationwide! |
In the last month, we have seen federal efforts to strengthen our nation’s gun laws, including the biggest expansion in background checks since the Brady Bill. But in addition to these successes, Brady, Team ENOUGH, and our grassroots networks have been hard at work in states across the country, passing life-saving legislation to keep our communities safe. Today, we want to uplift some of these successes.
In Colorado, SB24-066 was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis, requiring the use of “merchant category codes” for gun sales, which could help prevent mass shootings and gun trafficking by allowing financial institutions to report suspicious purchasing patterns to law enforcement. Colorado is just the second state to pass legislation to require the use of these merchant category codes. Colorado also passed a host of other gun violence prevention bills that are now headed to the governor, including bills to bolster gun dealer oversight (HB24-1353), ban guns from sensitive public places like government buildings and K-12 schools (SB24-131), require firearms to be stored safely in unattended vehicles (HB24-1348), and more!
|
Gov. Polis signing SB24-066 into law with gun violence prevention activists and lawmakers.
|
In Maryland, the Gun Industry Accountability Act (SB 488) passed through the legislature and is now awaiting the governor’s signature. This bill will create a path for victims of gun violence and their families to hold irresponsible members of the gun industry accountable in court for reckless or negligent business practices. If this bill is made law, it will help chip away at the gun industry’s unparalleled protection from liability.
In Maine, a year after the deadly Lewiston, ME, mass shooting, LD 2238 became law, creating a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases. This means that once someone purchases a firearm, there is a three-day buffer before they can take possession of it. This is a victory for gun violence prevention in Maine as waiting periods are an evidence-based solution to reduce firearm suicide and gun homicide. Maine also expanded their background check system to include all sales conducted at gun shows and they updated the state’s Yellow Flag Law.
In Pennsylvania, Brady and Team ENOUGH joined CeasefirePA and other gun violence prevention partners at the Pennsylvania State Capitol for the 2024 Advocacy Day. Advocates spent the day demanding legislators take action on life-saving legislation, including preventing gun trafficking and banning machine gun conversion switches. The day culminated in a rally of more than 500 people.
|
Team ENOUGH Founding Member Robert Schentrup (center) and gun violence prevention activists. |
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Helps us Honor Moms with Action |
|
|
Brady
840 First Street, NE
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
United States unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
