Friend,

This week, President Trump ordered the federal government to take over Washington, D.C.’s law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops “to crack down on crime and violence.” This decision has effectively turned our nation’s capital into a military zone. 

The changes are startling. National Guard troops walk the streets as D.C. residents try to go about their day. The places where people gather to relax, grocery shop, or go out to dinner have become patrol routes for heavily armed guards. 

President Trump claims that crime in D.C. is at an all-time high and that these actions will prevent crime. But that is a lie. 

Crime in D.C. was at a 30-year low when Trump took office. This is directly thanks to the investment that the Biden administration made in community-based violence intervention groups in D.C. and its passage of the historic Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

What President Trump is doing is justifying armed intimidation — all while dismantling the very institutions that helped prevent crime in D.C.

With armed National Guard troops patrolling D.C. streets, we now have a militarized capital with guns everywhere. This does not make us safer. In fact, the presence of a firearm heightens tensions and exacerbates confrontations. This is particularly relevant within police interactions, in which there is already an inherently unequal power dynamic between officers and civilians. The militarization and federalization of the police in D.C. puts people in danger, particularly Black and Brown communities, who are disproportionately impacted by police violence. 

And it doesn’t just stop here in our nation’s capital. President Trump has indicated that he wants to expand this dangerous decision to other cities, including Baltimore, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Your city could be next. 

We call on every public official in D.C. and around the country to condemn this action and make clear that self-determination is a bedrock of American government and democracy — from the smallest town council to the entire nation.

Friend, join us today in calling out this overreach of authoritarian power and tell President Trump and Congress that we will not let our cities turn into a “guns everywhere” militarized zone.

In solidarity,

Team Brady

Brady Attends 50th Anniversary of National Conference of State Legislators

Brady’s state policy team traveled to Boston, MA, last week for the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL). They spent three days meeting with legislators, tabling, and spreading awareness of Brady's policy and programmatic work. 

The team attended the Legislators for Safer Communities afternoon session, where legislators advocating for gun violence prevention policies in their states came together to problem-solve and learn from one another. The room was filled with gun violence prevention champions, discussing what they can do to change the laws and free America from gun violence. 

Want to learn how you can engage your legislators on gun violence prevention, too? Visit our website to find tips on how to engage with your state’s elected officials so you can work together to end gun violence.

The Fight in Florida: Protecting Age Minimums for Firearm Sales

Brady’s legal team filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court this week, urging them NOT to hear National Rifle Association v. Glass. If they don’t, the lower court’s decision will stand — a decision that found restricting those under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms to be constitutional. 

In the wake of the Parkland shooting, Brady and Team ENOUGH advocates fought like hell to pass a law to raise the age minimum to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21. It would be a slap in the face to victims and survivors to see that law undone. 

Lowering the age minimum on firearm purchases is a reckless move. Mass shootings are increasingly carried out by young people and assault weapons are the weapons of choice in mass shootings. By upending gun safety laws, we are putting our communities in danger.

So please, join us in learning more about the work we are doing in Florida, and read our amicus brief in National Rifle Association v. Glass.

You can also listen to our podcast episode, “Dismantling Myths About Gun Violence 5 Years Post Parkland,” to hear about how we can continue to hold the line for gun violence prevention.

URGENT: Vote for Our South by Southwest Panel!

Exciting news: Our panel, "Show Gun Safety: How TV/Film Can Prevent the Next Tragedy," has made it to the first round of the selection process for South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026. But whether or not our panel will ultimately make the SXSW lineup is partially in the hands of supporters like you!

Our panel will focus on how depicting firearm safety, or the consequences of reckless gun use, can change the culture and attitude around guns in America. Potential panelists include actor Adam Brody, Creative Artists Agency Executive Dennis St. Rose, gun violence survivor and activist Fred Guttenberg, and Brady President Kris Brown. 

So please, vote now for our panel! It takes less than two minutes, and the more community votes we receive, the more likely we are to secure a spot at this year’s SXSW event.

Voting closes on August 24

To vote, click the heart next to the name of our proposal. This will prompt you to create or log into your account. If you don’t have an account, you will have to sign up and then confirm your email address.

Florida AG Says He Won’t Defend State Ban on Long Gun Purchases, so Gun Safety Group Steps up, Florida Phoenix

Brady Responds to Trump’s Federal Takeover of D.C. Law Enforcement and Mobilizing National Guard After Vow to “Stop Violent Crime”, Brady

Trump’s DOJ Makes a Mockery of Civil Rights Law, Brady Highlights, Brady

Exclusive: Steve Kerr on Why He Stays in This Fight, Kris Brown’s Substack

Brady
840 First Street, NE
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
United States

unsubscribe.

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.