Run, Lizzie. Run.
I can still hear my mom’s words of encouragement echo in my head when I think back to the first time I ran a marathon when I was 23. She cheered me on, not only at one, but five spots along those 26 miles, her bright smile pushing me onward to the finish line.
My name is Liz Dunning, head of the Development team at Brady, and I’m writing to you, John, to share my story. Tomorrow marks 18 years since my mom, Nancy, was shot and killed when a stranger rang our doorbell.
Four years ago, I decided I wanted to do something to commemorate my mom — something that would take grit and sacrifice. And, as if the stars aligned, I found a marathon to run on her birthday. I would run 26 miles to celebrate the 26 years of life my mom and I shared together.
I ran for my mom — for all the memories we shared and all the ones stolen by gun violence. I ran for the grandsons she never had a chance to meet. I ran for the hope that one day there would be fewer of us with this particular hole in our hearts. We raised almost $30,000 for Brady that day to honor her.
It took me a while, still, to find my place in this fight. It wouldn’t be until many years later, and after my mom’s killer was finally convicted, that I found the strength to dedicate my life to preventing more tragedy. It’s still not easy — especially during this time — but each day that I fight to stop other tragedies, supported by survivors, activists, and friends at Brady, I know we are getting closer to a real solution to this violent epidemic.
It is during these particularly hard times of the year that I am most grateful for the steadfast support of our activists, like you, John. This community is dedicated and tenacious. In fact, you demonstrated this yet again when you helped us far exceed our Giving Tuesday fundraising goal this week.
So thank you, for continuing to answer our call. For continuing to show up. Your support means so much to me and all of us at Brady. Every day I work to honor my mom is a day that I know was well spent. And I’m glad you’re here working with me.
Thank you,
Liz Dunning
Gun violence survivor & Vice President of Development
VICTORY: Los Angeles Bans Untraceable “Ghost Guns”
This week, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a local ordinance to ban “ghost guns!” Untraceable ghost guns are an emerging weapon of choice for prohibited purchasers because they require no Brady Background Check. They’ve been used in brutal shootings across California and have been recovered in record numbers in Los Angeles.
But thanks to the steadfast leadership of Councilman Paul Krekorian and the tireless advocacy of Brady California, Los Angeles took decisive action to prevent the proliferation of ghost guns.
L -R: Alec Foster (survivor, Women Against Gun Violence), LAPD Chief Michel Moore, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Suzanne Verge (Los Angeles Chapter Brady), Councilmember Paul Koretz, and Lorraine Morland (survivor, Women Against Gun Violence).
Now, Los Angeles joins San Diego as one of the first local governments in the nation to ban ghost guns and the parts necessary to build them. We are proud to have helped institute this life-saving local ordinance to protect Los Angeles communities, and we call on local governments across the country to follow suit!
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Honor the Victims of the San Bernardino Shooting With Action
This week, six years ago, 14 people were shot and killed and 24 others were injured in San Bernardino, CA. The attack was carried out with an assault rifle, which, time and again, is the weapon of choice for mass shooters. Please, in honor of the victims and survivors of the shooting, tell Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines right now!
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Apply for the Team ENOUGH Washington, D.C., Lobbying Collective!
Washington D.C. Lobbying Collective members gearing up to advocate for life-saving legislation in Congress.
We just extended the deadline for students to join the Team ENOUGH Washington, D.C., Lobbying Collective. The Team ENOUGH Lobbying Collective is the only national, youth-led group lobbying for gun reform. We’re looking for students (ages 13-26) to help us pass life-saving gun violence prevention legislation in Congress, and we need your help spreading the word! Will you share our application with young people you know? The deadline is Friday, December 13.
Leading up to lobby days with legislators, students will participate in training webinars with experts from Brady on grassroots advocacy, policies on the federal level, and more. Then, students will take their skills straight to the halls of power, virtually! We’ll teach young people leadership, organizing, and policy skills, and they’ll have the chance to network with leaders in the movement and other passionate youth advocates. In years past, students have helped advance life-saving legislation to disarm hate, expand background checks, and more.
🎧 Episode 161: Why Teamwork Matters in Grief and in Protecting Kids from Gun Violence
Ethan Song was only 15 years old when he was killed with an unsecured firearm at his friend’s house in 2018. Today, Ethan's parents, Mike and Kristin Song, fight to protect children, like Ethan, from gun violence with their organization Song Strong. This week, we’re joined by Mike and Kristin to discuss Ethan's life, what family relationships are like after a traumatic loss, the importance of safe gun storage, and how legislation like “Ethan's law” could save lives.
School Chief: Discipline Not Needed for Boy Before Shooting, ABC News
California’s Ban on High-Capacity Magazines Is Restored by Appeals Court, New York Times
Gun Sales Near Record Levels As U.S. Grapples With Another School Shooting, Forbes
The Steffan Tubbs Show Featuring Brady Vice President of Organizing Maisha Fields, 710 KNUS (skip to December 1, Hour 3 to listen)
This week, our partners at the Hope and Heal Fund celebrated their five year anniversary! Hope and Heal was founded in the wake of the tragic San Bernardino shooting, emerging as the first and only collaborative fund solely dedicated to the prevention of gun violence in California.
Since their launch, Hope and Heal has invested in a comprehensive approach to address and interrupt many forms of gun violence — including suicide, domestic violence, community violence, and more. Today, Hope and Heal continues to provide communities with life-saving data and resources to prevent gun violence and save lives.
We at Brady are forever grateful for Hope and Heal’s leadership in California, and we look forward to protecting California communities with them. Please help us celebrate Hope and Heal’s anniversary by sharing our Tweet!
Brady President Kris Brown joins MSNBC’s Katy Tur Following the Oxford High School shooting in Oxford, MI.
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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.