No one should ever be threatened with a gun while exercising their right to vote. So why isn't there a federal law to keep guns out of polling places?
Regulation has been left to the states — a large majority of which allow guns to be carried either openly or concealed at polling locations. The presence of firearms at the polls increases the likelihood of violence and threatens the well-being of voters and poll workers. To protect our democracy, we must condemn these actions and urge local, state, and federal officials to uphold the integrity of our elections and democracy.
Please, friend, will you add your name to our urgent call demanding that Congress ban guns from polling places? |
Thank you for taking action at this critical moment, friend. In solidarity,
Team Brady |
Brady Hosts Conference in Chicago to Share Supply-Side Solutions to Gun Violence
Chicago has strong gun laws. But the city still faces high levels of gun violence. So, where are the guns coming from? They don’t simply appear in Chicago communities — most guns that are used in crime start in the legal marketplace, at a licensed gun dealer.
Shockingly, 90% of guns recovered in crime are traced back to sales by just 5% of gun dealers nationwide. That means a small minority of “crime gun dealers” are engaging in irresponsible or even illegal practices that fuel the epidemic of gun violence in Chicago.
Just last week, we convened front line workers, gun violence survivors, community stakeholders, and more for our “Building A Future Without Gun Violence” conference in Chicago. We shared Brady’s unique “supply-side” solutions to stem gun trafficking and hold the gun industry accountable for fueling gun violence in the city.
We heard from Brady experts like Director of Racial Justice Kelly Sampson and Senior Director of Strategic Engagement Rachelle Hunley, national leaders like Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, as well as local leaders like Kanu Iheukumere of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, Arne Duncan of Chicago CRED, Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety for the City of Chicago, and more.
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We at Brady thank everyone who attended and our partners at Live Free Illinois, Paint the Hood Orange, One Aim Illinois, the Institute for Non Violence Chicago, and Metropolitan Peace Initiatives for making this event a reality. We know that if we’re to end gun violence, we must engage and empower communities to take action on the local level — and supply-side solutions must be part of those efforts. Please browse our webpage to learn more and find resources from our conference. |
Brady Activist and Board Spotlight: Martina Leinz
This week, we are recognizing Martina Leinz, a mother, higher educational professional, and relentless leader in the gun violence prevention movement, for her ten years of service on Brady’s Board of Trustees. |
Brady Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Sakran (l) and Brady President Kris Brown (r) awarding Martina (c) the Brady Bear Award.
Martina has been determined to create a future where Americans can live without the fear of gun violence for over two decades. Her advocacy began at the Million Mom March on Mother’s Day 2000 — the largest protest against gun violence at the time — and she has since advocated for stronger gun laws at the state and federal levels. She became the president of Brady’s Northern Virginia chapter in 2007, leading hundreds of activists, and then was elected to Brady’s Board of Trustees as the Chapter Representative in 2014. In 2018, Martina became a standing member of the board and has left a lasting impact.
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Brady President Kris Brown (l) and Martina (r) rallying outside the Virginia State Capitol
Following the devastating Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in 2012, she has organized a monthly protest and vigil in front of the NRA’s headquarters in her home state of Virginia. Each month, Martina convenes activists, survivors, and more to demand we prioritize our children’s safety instead of gun lobby profits.
Martina exemplifies the best of Brady, having moved through the ranks as an activist, chapter president, and board member. Her efforts have not only strengthened the movement to end gun violence in Virginia, but also nationally — and we’re all safer because of her life-saving advocacy. As Martina wraps up her time on Brady’s Board of Trustees, we want to thank her for her tireless commitment to gun violence prevention and to Brady!
If you want to be a changemaker in your community like Martina, we want to hear from you! Please learn more about Brady’s Regional Leadership Councils (RLCs) and grassroots chapters. |
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BIG WIN: Baltimore’s Ghost Gun Case Can Proceed to Trial “This is an important ruling that allows the city to have its day in court and protect its residents from gun violence and the damage caused by unserialized and untraceable ghost guns.” — Erin Davis, Brady Senior Counsel and Director of Litigation
Just this week, a judge in Baltimore ruled that the City of Baltimore’s lawsuit against a ghost gun retailer, Hanover Armory, can proceed to trial! Brady serves as the co-counsel on this case, and this ruling brings us steps closer to holding Hanover Armory accountable in court.
We allege that Hanover Armory, located just ten miles outside of Baltimore, flooded the local market with thousands of ghost gun kits and substantially contributed to the ghost gun crisis in the city.
We have been fighting on behalf of the City of Baltimore for over two years. In June 2022, the City filed a case alleging that Hanover Armory and Polymer80, Inc — the largest ghost gun manufacturer in America — caused a public nuisance by marketing and selling ghost gun kits that caused a public health and safety crisis in Baltimore City.
Just months ago, we celebrated when we settled the lawsuit with Polymer80 that included $1.2 million in injunctive relief for Baltimore. Now, we are proceeding to hold Hanover Armory accountable for the role we allege it has played in the City’s ghost gun crisis.
Please join us in reading more about this victory in our press release. |
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