Friend,

Five years ago, on January 6, 2021, I was in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives as violent insurrectionists attacked our nation’s Capitol. As I reflect on that dark day for our precious — and often fragile — democracy, I keep returning to one of the underlying forces helping to fuel the violence: Second Amendment extremism.  

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

In the following years, we have continued to see the tragic consequences of political violence, including the recent assassination of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attack on Minnesota state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. 

Instead of taking action to prevent armed political violence and gun violence, the Trump administration has decided to cater to the gun industry, prioritizing profits over our lives. 

President Trump fully pardoned and restored gun rights to politically violent individuals, including January 6 insurrectionists. Later, by the dictate of the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., federal prosecutors stopped pursuing felony charges for the open carry of long guns and high-capacity magazines in our nation’s capital. And just last month, Trump's Department of Justice created a new “gun rights office,” charged with “investigating” and rolling back gun violence prevention laws that the majority of Americans support. 

If the events of January 6 were to occur today, they would be even deadlier.

This is why Brady has consistently called on lawmakers to bolster our federal and state gun laws — including by expanding Brady Background Checks, enacting extreme risk laws, and banning assault weapons. By passing these sensible solutions, we can safeguard our democracy and help prevent yet another deadly attack.

Please join us in sending this message to Congress today

In solidarity, 

Douglas Letter

Brady Chief Legal Officer

Honoring with Action Following the Deadly ICE-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

This week, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis just after she dropped her 6-year-old son off at school. Renee was a wife, mother, poet, and is remembered as being “extremely compassionate.” This is at least the fifth death and 30th shooting incident since the Trump administration launched its aggressive anti-immigration crackdown. Just a day after Renee’s death, two others were shot by federal agents in Portland.

Renee’s death is a devastating, but predictable consequence of the Trump administration’s actions that have terrorized communities for years and have only escalated during his second administration. Now, Trump is exploiting ICE and DHS to create a MAGA militia of Second Amendment extremists that he can control to carry out his domestic political battles.

No one — regardless of immigration status — deserves to be gunned down by our government.

This is a clear example of institutionalized political violence. Trump is using ICE to carry out armed intimidation and violence against those who dare challenge him. Using guns to silence political opposition is anti-democratic and deadly.

We must demand a thorough investigation into the ICE killing of Renee Good, accountability for the agent involved, and we must continue to call out all acts of state sanctioned violence — especially as the Trump administration blocks state law enforcement investigations and continues to make unfounded claims.

Join Brady’s Secure Storage Working Group!

Are you looking for ways to reduce gun violence in your community — particularly firearm suicide, unintentional shootings, and school shootings? Then join our secure gun storage working group! This program brings together grassroots volunteers in support of our End Family Fire program.

We meet once a month, giving you time to connect with other gun violence prevention advocates and develop innovative strategies for promoting responsible gun ownership, especially secure gun storage.

At these meetings, we discuss:

✅ The scope of gun violence and how secure gun storage can help prevent it.

✅ Ways to engage with our End Family Fire program, like sharing our secure storage PSAs in your community.

✅ How to build relationships with community stakeholders, like school districts, law enforcement, and public health agencies, in support of your efforts. 

Our next meeting is Monday, January 12, from  6-7 pm ET over zoom. Whether you’ve previously advocated for gun violence prevention solutions, participated in one of Brady's programs, or are looking to take action in your community and don't know where to start, this group is for you!

RSVP today to join our next secure store working group!

Applications Open: Cookie and Kenny Misher Youth Advocacy Award

Ross Misher with his father, Kenny, and his sister, Jodi

Do you know a Team ENOUGH member between the ages of 17-25 who has brought about meaningful change to prevent gun violence in their community? Nominate them for the inaugural Cookie and Kenny Misher Youth Advocacy Award! 

Two awardees will receive $3,000 to support their ongoing education, organizing, and leadership development. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 2, 2026.

The Cookie and Kenny Misher Award is named after Kenny Misher, who was shot and killed when his son, Ross, was just 12 years old. Ross became a leader in the gun violence prevention movement with Brady after losing his dad and created the Misher Award to honor his parents’ memory. The award recognizes exceptional young leaders in the gun violence prevention movement who have demonstrated outstanding advocacy and leadership through Brady’s youth initiative, Team ENOUGH. 

Winners will be recognized at Brady’s Action Awards in New York City in April. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to nominate a Team ENOUGH youth leader today!

5 Years Since the Jan. 6 Insurrection, TIME

A Shooter Terrorized My University. This is the Cost of Inaction. | Opinion, USA Today

New Indiana Law Ends City’s 1999 Lawsuit Against Gunmakers, Court Rules, Washington Post

Brady Responds to Mass Shooting at Salt Lake City Church Funeral, Brady

Chicago Police Recover 10 Weapons at Illegal Party, Fox 32 Chicago

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