John,

Today is a day decades in the making. This morning, President Biden, flanked by Vice President Harris and Attorney General Merrick Garland finally said, "Enough, enough, enough."

The Biden administration committed to SIX immediate actions to address the gun violence epidemic:

1. The Justice Department will issue a proposed rule to help stop the proliferation of ghost guns.
2. The Justice Department will issue a proposed rule to make clear when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace effectively turns a pistol into a short-barreled rifle subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act.
3. The Justice Department will publish model Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPOs) legislation for states.
4. The Administration is investing in evidence-based community violence interventions.
5. The Justice Department will issue an annual report on firearms trafficking.
6. The President will nominate GVP advocate David Chipman to serve as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

As you know, we have already passed many of these policies in the Washington state legislature and ballot initiatives. We closed the gun show loophole in 2014, created ERPOs in 2016, prohibited ghost guns in 2019 and last year we helped create an Office of Firearm Violence Prevention which invests in community violence intervention programs and more.

President Biden also called on Congress to:

1. Close the gun show loophole
2. Close the Charleston loophole
3. Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
4. Ban assault weapons
5. Hold gun manufacturers accountable

Each one of these actions would be cause for celebration, but together they represent the most meaningful day of national action we’ve seen since the Alliance’s inception. It’s an emotional day for our team and I’m sure it is for you too.

I invite you to watch the full remarks here. Have a tissue box ready.

Onward,
Renée (she/her)

PS - These Congressional actions are going to be a long, hard fight. We’re ready to do the work and are counting on you to help us make the most of this historic opportunity.