This week, John, we are remembering Kenzo Dix and the importance of safe firearm storage.
On May 29, 1994, 30 years ago this week, Kenzo, just 15 years old, was unintentionally shot and killed by an unsecured firearm. His friend, 14 years old, wanted to show him his father’s Beretta handgun. His friend removed a clip of live rounds to replace it with an empty one, but he didn’t realize there was still a bullet in the chamber when he pulled the trigger.
The bullet went through Kenzo’s shoulder, into his heart, and killed him.
In the aftermath of this devastating shooting, Brady filed a legal case, Dix v. Beretta U.S.A. Corp, against the gun manufacturer. We argued that the pistol was defective because it lacked critical safety features and the chamber-loaded indicator was tiny and difficult to see. As a result of this case, legislation was passed in California requiring clear chamber-loaded indicators and mechanisms that make guns inoperable if bullet clips are removed. These life-saving features help prevent the exact situation that ultimately took Kenzo’s life.
This was a victory for Kenzo’s family, Brady, and all of California. But it also highlights the importance of asking about unsecured guns where your children play. Our ASK (Asking Saves Kids) campaign encourages parents and caretakers to ask about firearms, just as they would ask about other child safety issues. Recognized on the first day of summer, June 21, when more kids are home from school, ASK Day is a time to remind parents, guardians, and caretakers to ASK: “is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?” It’s a simple question that has the power to save a life.
In the United States, 4.6 million children live in homes with access to an unlocked or unsupervised gun. And firearms are the leading cause of death for youth. That is why ASK Day is so important, John. So as we remember 30 years since Kenzo’s death and approach ASK Day, please join us in learning more about our campaign and how you can protect your loved ones from unsecured firearms in the home.
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| June is Gun Violence Awareness Month! |
June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Every day, more than 300 people are directly impacted by gun violence in the United States. Gun Violence Awareness Month was created to draw attention to this tragic reality and demand life-saving change.
During this month, we wear orange in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old who was shot and killed in Chicago in 2013. Just one week before she was killed, Hadiya performed with her high school majorette squad at President Obama's second inaugural parade. This week, she should be celebrating her 27th birthday, but instead, her life was cut short by gun violence, like far too many others.
In response to her death, Hadiya's friends asked others to wear orange to raise awareness about gun violence. Gun violence prevention advocates and organizations have taken up the color orange as the color of gun violence awareness and the first Friday in June is now considered National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
In honor of Hadiya and all those impacted by gun violence, will you join us in taking action right now? Visit our webpage to get involved in your community or on social media and find more ways to recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Month! |
Watch Now: Kelly Sampson’s Powerful Testimony Before U.S. House Committee |
“With tens of thousands dead and many more injured [each year], Congress should be focused on ending our gun violence epidemic and equipping the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to meet its mandates and enforce the nation’s gun laws.”
— Kelly Sampson, Brady Director of Racial Justice and Senior Counsel
On Wednesday, May 22, Brady Director of Racial Justice and Senior Counsel Kelly Sampson testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. She spoke about the importance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the need for proper funding for oversight over the gun industry, enforcing gun laws, and preventing firearm trafficking.
The subcommittee Kelly spoke in front of was examining ‘overreach’ of the ATF, but as we know and as Kelly shares, the ATF — which is the sole government agency overseeing the gun industry — plays an integral role in preventing gun violence and needs more funding, not less. Evidence shows that over 70% of crime guns are traced back to just 1% of gun dealers. Even though a tiny portion of gun dealers are responsible for these guns, ATF still struggles to maintain proper oversight because the agency is historically underfunded and understaffed.
A small minority of irresponsible gun dealers fuel America’s gun violence epidemic that claims more than 44,000 people every year. If we’re to hold these dealers accountable and end this epidemic plaguing our communities, Congress must fully fund the ATF. We thank the subcommittee for inviting Kelly and allowing her to shed light on the ATF’s role in preventing gun violence. In case you missed her powerful testimony, you can watch it here. |
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