John,
Today should be Ahmaud Arbery’s 27th birthday. He should be celebrating with his friends and family. But a year ago, he was senselessly murdered in broad daylight while out for a run in Georgia.
I’m a runner, too – I’ve been running my whole life. John, I know the visceral fear that comes with running while Black in America: It means being keenly aware of the spaces that I’m in and how people will view my Black body running in the street. It means worrying about my safety for more reasons than sprained ankles or cars. I have even asked a white friend to protect me by biking next to me as I trained for a marathon, so that I knew I was safe to simply run.
Being Black in the United States means not being able to go for a run without the danger of being shot. This is a violation to the ideals of our country, John: We cannot call ourselves the land of the free when Ahmaud Arbery was murdered while enjoying the freedom of jogging, and while so many more fear for their lives. Now, one his birthday, we must recommit ourselves to fighting the systemic failings of our country — including our broken gun laws.
Since Ahmaud's murder, lawmakers have failed to end racist Stand Your Ground laws – in fact they have passed more of them. Just months ago, Ohio signed their version of Stand Your Ground into law. Ahmaud Arbery’s killers even attempted to manipulate Georgia’s Stand Your Ground laws and claimed that their actions were self-defense to avoid the blame of their heinous crime.
Stand Your Ground laws encourage reckless gun owners to shoot first, ask questions later — and then claim self-defense. When combined with our country’s weak gun laws and systemic racism, Stand Your Ground laws increase, rather than decrease, gun crime. We need to show an overwhelming support for ending these life-threatening and racist laws.
In honor of Ahmaud Arbery’s life that was senselessly taken too soon and for the Black men and women who still face the threat of violence in our country: Thank you for taking action against racist Stand Your Ground laws.
In solidarity,
Kelly Sampson
Brady Senior Counsel and Director of Racial Justice
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We’re Launching Trainings for Mental Health Professionals: “Firearms, Means Safety, and Suicide Prevention: A Clinical Workshop”
In partnership with the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), our End Family Fire program is launching workshops for mental health clinicians, trainees, or students on the integration of firearms and means safety into clinical practice.
Evidence shows that by talking to patients about access to firearms and safe storage practices, mental health professionals can lower suicide risk and save lives. In fact, when guns in the home are properly stored, the risk of family fire is reduced by up to 61%. If a person is considering suicide or is at risk of a personal crisis, safe storage of a firearm can prevent a lethal suicide attempt.
“Firearms, Means Safety and Suicide Prevention: A Clinical Workshop”
Presented by Ted C. Bonar, PsyD, Director of End Family Fire
Multiple dates through May-November 2021
3.0 CE credits awarded for APA, NBCC, NASW, or general attendance.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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Tomorrow is Mother's Day. Help Us Honor with Action
To all of the moms who have lost children to gun violence, the moms we have lost, and the moms fighting to create a safer future for our children: We see you, we thank you, and we honor you. Will you show your support by sharing our Mother’s Day graphic on Facebook?
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Help Brady Win Up to $150,000 from CREDO Mobile — YOUR Votes Determine How Much We Receive!
Every month, CREDO Mobile awards money to nonprofits like Brady. We’ve been selected to receive a share of a $150,000 grant from CREDO Mobile. But we need your help! The more public votes we get, the more money we receive. Will you vote for us right now? Voting takes less than 5 seconds and the funds will bolster our work across Congress, courts, and communities.
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🎧 Episode 127: Talking to Kids About Mass Shootings
We're joined by Nancy Kislin, a therapist and author of "LOCKDOWN: Talking to Your Kids about School Violence.” Weeks ago, we asked you to submit your questions about how to talk to young people about gun violence. This week, Nancy helps us answer your questions.
🎧 From the Archives — Episode 27: A Weird, Sad, Not-So-Little Club
In recognition of Mother’s Day this weekend, in this episode from the archives, we’re joined by Christian Heyne and Liz Dunning — both employees of Brady who lost their mothers to gun violence. We talk about how they deal with that loss, how they balance working in gun violence prevention, and what brought them to Brady.
Top: Christian Heyne with his mother, Jan. Bottom: Liz Dunning and her mother, Nancy.
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The Spread of Permitless Carry: Many States Are Pushing Through More Permissive Gun Laws, The Economist
How the A.T.F., Key to Biden’s Gun Plan, Became an N.R.A. ‘Whipping Boy’, The New York Times
Survivor Story: Decades Old Gary Gun Lawsuit Still Alive in Hammond Court, Chicago Tribune
Orange County Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Groups Support President Biden’s Executive Order on Gun Control Legislation, Lariat
Oakland, S.F. See Spike in Untraceable Ghost Guns: 'Anybody Can Get These,' San Francisco Chronicle
Lawmakers Aim to Repeal Law Shielding Gun Industry, Beverly Press
This week in Colorado, lawmakers advanced important legislation that would improve Colorado’s background check system by closing the “Charleston loophole” and ensuring individuals with violent misdemeanors are prevented from purchasing and possessing guns for five years. The law would ensure that a background check is completed before every gun sale.
We thank Brady Colorado State Executive Committee lead Val Beck, who testified in support of this vital legislation and helped advance the bill in the House Judiciary Committee! Since joining Brady Colorado just weeks ago, Val has hit the ground running, building our grassroots presence in Colorado, helping host virtual events, and more. Thank you, Val, for your dedication to preventing gun violence!
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Thank you, John, for staying up-to-date on Brady's work across Congress, courts, and communities. Our work is not possible without grassroots donors like you. Will you consider donating to continue our life-saving work today? Thank you for being a Brady supporter and joining us in the fight to prevent gun violence.
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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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