This week, friend, we are remembering Kenzo Dix and the importance of secure firearm storage.
31 years ago this week, 15-year-old Kenzo was unintentionally shot and killed with an unsecured firearm. His 14-year-old friend wanted to show Kenzo his father’s Beretta handgun, so he removed a clip of live rounds to replace it with an empty one. What he didn’t realize when pulling the trigger was a bullet remained in the chamber. That bullet went through Kenzo’s shoulder, into his heart, and killed him.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Brady filed a lawsuit on behalf of Kenzo’s family, 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 the safety of children, Kenzo’s family, Brady, and all of California. But Kenzo’s story 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 at the beginning of the 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.
So, as we remember Kenzo’s life and approach ASK Day, please join us in learning more about our campaign and how you can protect your loved ones from unsecured firearms. |
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TAKE ACTION: Tell the U.S. Senate: Don’t Deregulate Gun Silencers! |
Silencers are deadly firearm accessories that muffle the sound of gunshots, making mass shootings deadlier, increasing the risk of ambush attacks, and enabling shooters to elude law enforcement. It makes sense that they’ve been regulated for almost 100 years, right?
President Trump’s tax bill now includes a dangerous provision to deregulate silencers. This would allow anyone, including prohibited gun purchasers like gun traffickers, to buy or 3D-print a gun silencer without registration or even a Brady Background Check if they make the purchase in a private sale. All the while, the gun industry will line its pockets with MORE money. Gun industry-loyalists already pushed this tax bill through the House in the middle of the night. Now, we need your help stopping it in the Senate.
Silencers have had a devastating impact on our communities. Six years ago, a shooter used a silencer to kill 12 people at his Virginia workplace before police intervened. And two years ago, the ATF recovered and traced over 400 silencers from violent crime scenes.
Enough is enough. We have to stop this bill now to protect our communities from Trump’s “guns everywhere” agenda. Take action today and tell the Senate to oppose any bill that deregulates silencers! |
ICYMI: Underfunded and Under Fire: The Public Health Crisis of Firearm Violence and What You Can Do |
Earlier this month, Brady hosted a powerful webinar, convening leaders in the gun violence prevention movement who have been directly impacted by recent federal budget cuts by the Trump administration.
Moderated by Brady President Kris Brown, we heard from Dr. Sonali Rajan, Fatimah Loren Dreier, Dr. Halleh Akbarnia, Dr. LJ Punch, and Dr. Joseph Sakran. From the emergency room, to the research lab, and the streets of our communities, each panelist shared firsthand how these funding cuts have affected their work in saving lives.
“When we cut funding for prevention, we’re saying that we’re okay with the status quo. We're telling children in violent neighborhoods that their safety is negotiable. We're telling survivors that their recovery is optional and we're telling those of us on the front lines that our work doesn't matter, but I think we all know better than that.” – Dr. Joseph Sakran, Brady Chief Medical Officer and Lead Trauma Surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
These cuts not only impact professionals who work tirelessly to end this epidemic, but also every person in America. When prevention programs are underfunded, emergency response slows, research stalls, and community safety nets unravel. The ripple effects reach schools, neighborhoods, and families, limiting the tools available to stop violence before it starts. Protecting lives requires action at every level of government, and without that investment, we all bear the cost.
Real change will only come when every individual, regardless of profession or politics, steps up to demand it. So, please join us in watching our webinar today to learn more about these cuts and how you can fight back. |
Calling Pittsburgh Activists: You’re Invited to Brady’s “Building A Future Without Gun Violence” Summit |
You’re invited to Brady’s “Building A Future Without Gun Violence” summit in Pittsburgh. Not from the area? Please consider sharing our event with friends and family. Thursday, June 26, 2025 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET The Pittsburgh Foundation
This is a FREE event and no previous experience is required
The communities that are most impacted by gun violence are too often left to carry the burden alone — while gun dealers sit outside of those communities, funnel firearms onto our streets, and profit from the harm. During our Pittsburgh summit, attendees will learn about Brady’s supply-side approach to gun violence, which aims to shift the burden of gun violence prevention efforts from the communities most impacted, onto members of the gun industry contributing to the violence.
Want to be part of the solution? RSVP today to learn more about our event, sessions, and speakers! |
LAST CHANCE — Help Brady Win Money to End Gun Violence! |
Today is the last day for you to help Brady win money from our partners at CREDO!
We’ve been selected to receive a share of the funds from CREDO for the month of May, but we need your support! The more votes we receive, the more money CREDO will donate. The funds will bolster our work to change the laws, change the industry, and change the culture around firearms in America.
So, please, vote for us before it's too late to support our life-saving work! |
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Thank you for supporting Brady and our work to prevent gun violence and save lives. We rely heavily on the generosity of activists like you to fund our work to create a safer America. If you’re in this fight, please join Brady today by making a gift. |
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