Hi, John, it's Kris Brown, the President of Brady.
2021 started unlike any of us could have ever imagined. The blatant attacks and bloodshed at the epicenter of our democracy still chills me. But I'm proud to say that we've already turned the corner away from the dark days under President Trump to a brighter future with the Biden-Harris administration.
Last week, I met with the Biden-Harris team to discuss their plans to prevent gun violence and save lives in America. And let me say this: It brought me great hope to affirm firsthand that they are powerfully committed to expanding and strengthening Brady Background Checks, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, expanding community-based violence intervention programs, and eliminating special protections for the gun industry!
John, these are sweeping reforms that I know the Biden-Harris administration will follow through on. We know from personal experience. Twenty-seven years ago this month, our namesakes, Jim and Sarah Brady, led the fight alongside then-Senator Joe Biden to take on the NRA and pass the landmark Brady Bill. Soon after, they banded together again to pass a 10-year ban on assault weapons manufacturing and sales.
Now, as president, I know Joe Biden will continue to prioritize gun reform, but here's the thing: We need to show him that we, the American people, overwhelmingly want to see the White House act on these measures. That's why I'm asking you, John, will you sign our petition and let President Biden know that we support these common-sense reforms? The more his administration hears from us, the sooner we can get to work and save lives!
After four years of lethal inaction under the Trump administration, we can now chart a new course. Together, we can address the epidemic of gun violence in America.
GOOD NEWS: Gun Reform Bills Pass Virginia General Assembly!
We've been hard at work in Virginia! This week, following the advocacy and support of Brady Virginia, the Virginia General Assembly passed three bills that are headed to Gov. Northam for his signature, including:
✅ HB 1992 to keep guns away from convicted domestic abusers
✅ HB 2081 to bans firearms from polling places
✅ HB 2128 to fix the deadly "Charleston loophole," which allows gun sales to go through after three days — even if a background check hasn’t been completed.
These bills couldn’t be more timely. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a spike in domestic violence incidents with firearms, record-breaking background checks being conducted, and armed voter intimidation at our polling places. We thank the Virginia General Assembly for prioritizing common-sense legislation that puts people and their constituents ahead of gun lobby profits.
URGENT: Help Us Protect Our Life-Saving Progress in California!
John, Gov. Gavin Newsom has the opportunity to appoint a new state Attorney General. But to maintain our hard-fought progress in California, Gov. Newsom must appoint an Attorney General who will prioritize gun violence prevention. That's why Brady and Team ENOUGH, our youth-led initiative, are urging Gov. Newsom to appoint an Attorney General who will protect, uphold, and prioritize gun violence prevention laws that keep all Californians safe!
This appointment is of national importance. California is hailed for having the strongest gun laws in America. California’s Attorney Generals, past and present, have played an integral role in the success of gun violence prevention in California. With the assistance of our organization and advocates, California has passed more than 100 gun violence prevention bills over the last 25 years. From 1993 to 2018, the rate of gun deaths in California decreased by 57%.
We want to ensure that California stays a national model for common-sense gun laws. Will you sign our petition urging Gov. Newsom to appoint an AG who is:
- Prepared to implement and enforce California’s firearm laws and systems
- Prepared to employ every legitimate means to aggressively defend California’s strong firearm laws from legal challenges
- Committed to treating gun violence as a public health epidemic
If you've already singed, please share this with five friends on Facebook!
🎧 Episode 117: Three Years After Parkland — "Once You Hear a Witness, You Become a Witness"
Aalayah Eastmond (L) and Ivy Schamis (R)
Three years ago on February 14, 2018, a gunman attacked Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In the aftermath, survivors of the massacre have dedicated their lives to preventing gun violence. But what is it like for those survivors? And what can we do to support them? We talk with Parkland survivors Ivy Schamis and Aalayah Eastmond.
Biden’s Gun-Policy Plans Start To Take Shape, Wall Street Journal
Rep. Kelly Reintroduces 3 Gun Violence Prevention Bills, Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle
President Biden Calls For Gun Law Reform, KCBS
Biden Pledges Action On Guns Amid Resistance, The Hill
Rutgers Researchers Find Lower Youth Gun-Carrying Rates In States With More Gun Laws, Daily Targum 
Tomorrow is the late Rep. John Lewis’ birthday. Rep. Lewis was a tireless advocate for change in every sense. At a very young age, he joined advocates in risking his life to secure the right to vote for Black Americans, helping pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was also a tireless gun violence prevention advocate.
In 2016, Rep. Lewis led a sit-in on the House floor after Congress failed to enact gun reform in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre. In the summer of 2019, he led Brady activists and survivors of gun violence to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office and demanded that he schedule a vote on expanded background checks.
Today, we are thinking of Rep. Lewis’ prolific legacy on the eve of his birthday. We at Brady were so lucky to have worked with him closely. Read more about our work with Rep. Lewis and how we're continuing his legacy.
We were thinking of our great friend and ally, Rep. Lucy McBath, as her son, Jordan, would have turned 26 years old this week. Last year, we honored Rep. McBath at the Brady Action Awards for her tireless dedication to preventing gun violence in Jordan's name. In honor of Jordan, watch Rep. McBath's powerful speech at the Brady Action Awards.
Our work is made possible by grassroots donors like you. Thank you for being a Brady supporter and joining us in the fight to prevent gun violence.
Thank you for supporting the Brady Campaign. The Brady Campaign is a 501c(4) and donations to the Brady Campaign are not eligible for a tax deduction. We rely on the generosity of donors like you to fund our work to prevent gun violence and create a safer America.
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
840 First Street, NE
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
United States
Emails are crucial for communicating with top members of the Brady Campaign team. To put an end to the gun violence epidemic, we need you on board every step of the way. However, if you would prefer to receive fewer emails, click here to update your contact preferences. If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe