John, 

This week marks eight years since Brady began our legal battle on behalf of Kirsten Englund, a loving mother of two, an avid birdwatcher, and a hiker. Her last journey ended in April 2013. Kirsten was driving up the Oregon coast to visit her sons when she stopped at an overlook to see a lighthouse. That’s when she was shot and killed by a stranger.

Kirsten with her sons, Nick and Andrew Wiegardt

That stranger never should have had a firearm. He had been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from purchasing firearms as a result. But two gun dealers made it all too easy for him to go online and purchase guns and have them transferred to a straw purchaser.

Kirsten’s family wanted to make a difference and save other families from their mother’s fate. That’s why they reached out to Brady to represent them in a lawsuit against the gun dealers who negligently sold the weapons used to murder Kirsten.

And after a lengthy court battle, we won landmark rulings and held the dealers accountable — setting life-saving precedent that is still used in courts today. That lawsuit resulted in the dealers paying for the harm they caused and reforming their business practices to prevent similar tragedies, bringing justice to Kirsten’s family.

John, in all of our legal victories, we send a message to members of the gun industry all across the country: that if they irresponsibly sell guns, they will be held accountable.

That’s why today, we’re asking you to support Brady with a special gift. Brady is fighting in courts across the country for other families like Kirsten’s — and we’re winning. Our lawsuits are keeping guns out of the hands of those who intend to cause harm. Please help make an impact and end gun violence by supporting Brady with a generous (tax-deductible) gift today.

In solidarity,

Brady Legal

Remembering Laura Wilcox

Amanda Wilcox testifying before the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee in support of a federal extreme risk law.

We are remembering Laura Wilcox who was tragically killed in a shooting spree in California 24 years ago this week. She was just 19 years old. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Laura’s mom, Amanda Wilcox, and her dad, Nick Wilcox, wanted to do something to ensure that no other family experienced the pain and loss that they did. 

Amanda soon became the policy and legislative chair for Brady California and had a lasting, life-saving impact. Since 2005, she and Nick led in shepherding over 100 gun violence prevention bills into law — a true testament to honoring Laura’s life with action — including a state extreme risk law, a tool to temporarily remove firearms from a person in crisis. Had an extreme risk law been in place at the time of Laura’s death, her life could have been saved. 

In 2020, the California Legislature honored Amanda and Nick for their life-saving advocacy, and to this day, they continue to advocate for gun safety across the country. We at Brady are in awe of the Wilcox’s and their tireless determination to make this country safer for us all. 

In honor of Laura’s life and legacy, please join us in calling on Congress to pass a federal extreme risk law.

Reflecting on the January 6 Capitol Attack

Four years ago, our nation’s Capitol was attacked by violent insurrectionists. This week, as we watched a peaceful transfer of power, we reflect on this dark day for our nation. 

We at Brady believe we still desperately need to address what fomented that day’s violence: Second Amendment extremism. 

For decades, the gun lobby has emboldened pro-gun vigilantes to take violent action against our lawmakers and democratic institutions. The January 6 attack was fueled by this gun extremism, mitigated by America’s lax gun laws and an ever-growing white supremacist movement.

If our reckoning of that day’s violence does not account for the role of these forces, then we have failed. Because the forces that gave rise to January 6 are still here — and under the Trump administration’s “guns everywhere” agenda, they will continue to threaten our democracy. 

This is why Brady continues to call on elected leaders in Congress to expand Brady Background Checks, pass the Disarm Hate Act, bolster extreme risk laws, and ban assault weapons. By passing these sensible solutions, we can safeguard our democracy and help prevent yet another attack.

As we reflect on four years since this dark day in American history, please listen to our podcast with Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was in the Capitol with his family during the attack.

The State Must Protect Gun Violence Research in New Jersey, The Trentonian

State Asks Judge to Deny Lawsuit Against Maine's 72-Hour Waiting Period, KATV

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy Receives Presidential Citizens Medal, Brady

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