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John,

It hasn’t been an easy start to 2026. The deadly shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent left us all questioning how this could happen — not to mention dire school shootings and everyday gun violence in our communities.

But it is during these tough times that we must also remember that there’s hope for a safer future. Even if the Trump administration has quietly, but deliberately, worked to dismantle policies and programs that keep Americans safe from gun violence, we are still making life-saving progress at the state level. That’s why I am writing to you today.

My name is Tanya Schardt and I am the senior counsel and director of state and federal policy at Brady. I chose Brady because I see how the gun violence epidemic has affected so many people — and I know it can be prevented.

Right now, Brady is gearing up for the 2026 legislative sessions in nearly 20 states — and we’re determined to build on our progress from 2025 when we helped pass 50 gun safety bills nationwide.
In Virginia, the state where I began this work, we now have a gun safety trifecta. We’re hoping for a transformative session where we pass an assault weapon and large-capacity magazine ban, establish a Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention, ensure victims and survivors can hold the gun industry accountable in court, and SO much more.

In California, New York, and New Jersey, we’re focused on bills which will help ensure that taxpayer dollars are not spent at irresponsible gun dealers who break the law and fuel gun violence in our communities. And we have a blueprint for success after our historic win in Colorado last year, where we helped pass the first state level law that ensures taxpayer dollars used to purchase law enforcement firearms are only spent at the most responsible gun dealers.

In Washington State, along with New York and New Jersey, we’re advocating for strong secure storage mandates to ensure that firearms are always securely stored to prevent instances of family fire – a shooting that results from someone misusing an unsecured firearm from the home.

This is life-changing work that will have a real and immediate impact in reducing gun violence in our communities, helping to prevent tragedies before they happen. We have a multi-pronged plan to address all forms of gun violence — and we are going to win this fight.

But we need all the help we can get and that’s why I’m reaching out to you today, John. Will you please consider supporting Brady’s state policy team and our work in communities nationwide? Whether you dedicate your time, treasure, or talent, you can fuel our mission to save lives. [[link removed]?]

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In solidarity,
Tanya Schardt
Senior counsel, Director of State and Federal Policy

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Remembering Ethan Song

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This January, Ethan Song would have turned 23 years old. But instead, he was unintentionally shot and killed with a gun that had been left unsecured at a friend’s home seven years ago. Had the gun, which was owned by his friend’s father, been stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition, Ethan would be here today.

Tragically, Ethan is not alone: Each day in America, on average, eight children and teens are unintentionally killed or injured by family fire — a shooting involving the misuse of an unsecured gun in the home.

In the years since Ethan's death, his parents and our beloved friends, Kristin and Michael Song, have dedicated their lives to gun violence prevention, fighting to pass a federal safe gun storage law to protect other children from what ended their son’s life. We at Brady are in awe of the Songs and their tireless advocacy to save lives.

As we remember and honor Ethan by advocating for secure storage to end family fire, please join us in learning more about his life and his parents' tireless advocacy.

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Honoring with Action

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This week three years ago, 11 people were shot and killed and nine others were injured in Monterey Park, CA, during a Lunar New Year festival. Just two days later, another shooting killed seven people and injured eight others in Half-Moon Bay, CA.

While the shootings were unrelated, they were connected in their impact on the area’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Latinx communities, and underscored the consequences of America’s easy access to firearms. When hate is armed with a firearm, these crimes become much more deadly.

These two tragedies, so close together both in time and location, remind us of the work that still needs to be done to protect all communities across the country.

So, please, join us in taking action today by calling on Congress to pass the Disarm Hate Act, which will help keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who have been convicted of hate crimes. [[link removed]]

TAKE ACTION >>> [[link removed]]

TIME IS RUNNING OUT: Cookie and Kenny Misher Youth Advocacy Award

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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! Applications close in less than two weeks!

Two awardees will receive $3,000 to support their ongoing education, organizing, and leadership development.

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! [[link removed]]

NOMINATE NOW >>> [[link removed]]

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Unsecured Guns are Killing Ohio Kids. We Know How to Stop it. [[link removed]] Ohio Capital Journal
The Gun Industry’s Newest Ally: ICE [[link removed]] , Kris Brown’s Substack

Supreme Court Hears Second Amendment Case [[link removed]] , ABC KCRG

Supreme Court Skeptical of Hawaii's 'Vampire Rule' for Gun Owners [[link removed]] , NBC News

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Brady
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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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