John, This week we witnessed the deadliest shooting in New York City in 25 years.
On Monday, five people were shot and four were killed at a corporate office building in Manhattan. The gunman carried an AR-15 variant across state lines, driving from Nevada to New York. The firearm used was a short-barreled rifle outfitted with a stabilizing brace — a weapon that was heavily regulated until just recently when Trump’s Department of Justice made them easier to carry.
Our hearts go out to the survivors and the families of the victims: Officer Didarul Islam, Wesley LePatner, Alande Etienne, and Julia Hyman. No one should fear for their lives, or have to hide in a bathroom at work, yet this is the world we live in, and the world that the Trump administration is continuing to make more dangerous.
We know that strong gun laws work. New York has continuously made progress in passing life-saving gun laws and we’ve seen the impact. In fact, New York City recently announced an all time low for shootings and homicides in the city. But one state’s gun laws are only as strong as its surrounding states. And without federal action, states with strong gun laws are still made vulnerable by states with weak gun laws.
But the Trump administration has continuously prioritized gun industry profits over our lives and it will undoubtedly lead to more deadly tragedies like this. Weakening laws around stabilizing braces and short barreled rifles, deregulating uniquely lethal weapons like silencers, and promising to sign a national permitless concealed carry bill have put all of our lives at greater risk. Enough is enough. We know how to stop these shootings. We know how to prevent gun violence. It is time Congress takes action to protect us so no one else has to fear being shot at work, or school, or anywhere else. In honor of those lost this week, and all other victims of gun violence, join us in calling on Congress to ban assault weapons! |
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In solidarity, Team Brady |
“Pause to Heal”: Educating Illinoisans on Life-Saving Firearm Safety Laws EXCITING NEWS: In partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Ad Council, we unveiled the next phase of our “Pause to Heal” campaign, which raises awareness of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), known as Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs) in Illinois. This new phase includes three public service advertisements (PSAs) based on true stories that illustrate how loved ones, household members, and other community members can “hit pause” on a potentially deadly situation by filing a FRO. |
FROs save lives. Period. One study estimated that Indiana’s extreme risk law averted one suicide for approximately every 10 orders enforced.
But, many people living in states with these laws, like Illinois, aren’t aware of these life-saving tools. An Ad Council study showed that only 10% of Illinoisans are familiar with FROs. This campaign exists to change that.
We’ve worked for decades to pass life-saving gun violence prevention laws. But we’ve also learned that policy is just the beginning. If we want to truly save lives, we have to make sure these tools are understood, accessible, and used. With 21 states and Washington, D.C. having extreme risk laws, we have the opportunity to use our work in Illinois as a national model, spreading awareness about ERPOs — and that’s exactly what Brady is working to accomplish.
Join us in learning more about ERPOs, and how they can be used to protect people in crisis and watch our latest “Pause to Heal” PSAs.
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Gun Violence Prevention Victory in Illinois!
This week, Illinois Gov. Pritzker signed two life-saving bills into law: SB 8, the Safe Gun Storage Act, and HB1373, which requires all law enforcement agencies in Illinois to participate in ATF’s eTrace system to aid in tracing firearms recovered from crimes. |
SB 8 will require gun owners to securely lock up their firearms when minors under the age of 18 and/or “at risk” people are in the home. This law will help prevent family fire, or a shooting that results from someone misusing an unsecured firearm from the home.
HB 1373 will ensure that law enforcement agencies assist ATF by using an electronic tracing system for firearms. This will make it easier for the ATF to trace the history of a firearm used in a crime, helping to solve gun crimes.
Together, these laws will help protect Illinois communities. We thank our grassroots activists who helped make these laws possible, especially Delphine Cherry, who has been a leader for the fight for gun violence prevention in Illinois and was at the bill signing this week!
To continue this inspiring progress in Illinois, this week Brady PAC endorsed gun violence champion Rep. Robin Kelly in her fight to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Kelly has consistently stood up to the gun lobby and will work to build upon Illinois’ legacy of gun violence prevention. Want to join in the fight to help pass essential gun violence prevention laws in your state? Join a Brady chapter today! |
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John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act |
Team Brady at the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act press conference On Tuesday, Sen. Warnock, Sen. Schumer, Sen. Booker, Sen. Blumenthal, and Sen. Padilla reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This bill would expand protections for everyone’s right to vote. Over the last decade, the Supreme Court has systematically gutted the original Voting Rights Act, denying many people of color the right to vote and endangering our democracy. It is essential that we re-enshrine the voting rights of all.
At Brady, we believe we can't prevent gun violence until we ensure everyone can fairly participate in our democracy. When 90% of the American public wants something as simple as expanded background checks, and our elected officials refuse to act, our democracy, as well as our lives, are in danger. The fight for our democracy is the fight for gun violence prevention.
The reintroduction of this crucial bill comes on the heels of the anniversary of John Lewis Day, which celebrates the enormous achievements of Rep. John Lewis. In honor of his legacy, Brady hosted a teach-in that examines how systemic racism drives and sustains the crisis of gun violence in communities of color.
To celebrate John Lewis, and the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, watch our teach-in now to learn more about systemic racism, voting, and gun violence prevention. |
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