John,

At least eight people are dead after a deadly mass shooting in San Jose, CA yesterday. The gunman opened fire on his workplace and killed his colleagues. We remember their names:

Paul Delacruz Megia, 42
Taptejdeep Singh, 36
Adrian Balleza, 29
Jose Dejesus Hernandez, 35
Timothy Michael Romo, 49
Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40
Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63
Lars Kepler Lane, 63
Alex Ward Fritch, 49

Americans have been senselessly murdered once again. Families have lost loved ones – and as a gun violence survivor, I know the unbearable tragedy that these families are now faced with. And this community will never be the same.

How many more communities will be forever changed before Congress takes action?

This is the latest in a string of mass shootings that we've heard of in the news. But that's just what makes headlines – there have been 231 mass shootings this year alone.

We don’t know the weapon that was used in this shooting, but we know that military-style assault weapons are consistently the weapon of choice for mass shooters because they are designed for mass destruction — to kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. And we know what needs to be done: We have to get these weapons of war off our streets. 

We cannot wait until the next mass shooting – until more people are killed by senseless gun violence. Banning assault weapons can help curb the deadly epidemic of gun violence in this country. That's why Brady is calling on Congress again to act now — because this can't wait: Will you sign our petition demanding a ban on assault weapons?

We must take action to save lives. Thank you.

Liz Dunning

Gun Violence Survivor

Vice President, Development

Note: According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), 231 mass shootings have happened in 2021. GVA defines mass shooting as four or more shot excluding the shooter.