John,

Yesterday, an act of political violence shocked us all and the effects are still radiating across the nation.

Our country is founded on democracy and at the heart of democracy lies principles of fairness and freedom – that should include the fundamental freedom to live our lives without the fear of being shot.

Unfortunately, we face a different reality. Yesterday, a gunman with an assault weapon attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. While Trump was thankfully only injured, a rally attendee was senselessly killed during the attack. 

John, let me make one thing absolutely clear: Guns have no place in our democracy.

But the truth is that in a country where guns are valued more highly than human lives, everyone is at risk. And easy access to firearms only enhances the dangers that gun violence poses to our political system. 

John, this act of political violence should be a wake up call for the nation. If you agree that our political systems should be free from the threat of gun violence, add your name to Brady’s urgent call: Guns have no place in our democracy.

The threat that guns have on our democracy is all too familiar to those of us at Brady. We are named for Jim Brady, Ronald Reagan’s press secretary, who was shot in the assassination attempt on the president in 1981. Brady, a Republican, then dedicated his life to working to end gun violence in the country. Even President Reagan, a lifelong NRA member, changed course and supported gun violence prevention after he was shot. It was an inflection point in the gun violence prevention movement, which spawned the background check system that is still in effect today. 

I hope that this most recent act of political violence will also inspire calls for common-sense gun reform from both sides of the aisle and a deep examination of our nation’s deadly culture around firearms.

From 1981 to 2024, guns have continued to threaten the sanctity of our political systems and unless we take action to protect our democracy and American lives from gun violence, we will keep living in fear. If you agree that guns have no place in our democracy, add your name to Brady’s urgent petition now and make your voice heard:

I hope for a quick recovery for those injured in yesterday’s attack and those traumatized by it. My thoughts are with the family of the victim. Today, we can honor survivors and victims with action to free our country from the scourge of gun violence. 

Kris Brown

Brady President