John, 

Today marks nine years since a shooter walked into Sandy Hook Elementary with a military-style assault weapon and, within four minutes, shot more than 154 bullets that killed 20 children and 6 educators.

Still, we didn’t pass gun violence prevention legislation, and in nine years we still haven’t. I will never understand how that wasn't the last straw, even for the gun lobby. Witnessing 7-year-old children murdered in their classrooms should have been enough. But instead, more children have been murdered in the years since. In Parkland, in Oxford, MI, last week, and in more schools across the country. Our children can’t wait any longer — not when each day holds the same danger of gun violence as the last. Concrete action to end gun violence still hasn’t happened, and we desperately need it.

Nine years ago, NRA-funded politicians met with the parents of children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary, looked them in the eye, and then blocked legislation that could save thousands of more lives. We know too well that the gun lobby will pour millions into maintaining the deadly status quo, and we can’t let their politicians — like Mitch McConnell — keep blocking lifesaving legislation instead of protecting students' lives.

John, we don't have to let spineless McConnell get away with this hindering our work. We have gun safety champions in Congress and the White House right now — and we at Brady have critical voices like you to spur them into action. So I'm asking you personally, in honor of the victims of Sandy Hook: Will you join Brady in calling for commonsense gun violence legislation that can save lives?

Brady fights every day to make sure no family feels the pain and loss that gun violence survivors — people like me and many of my colleagues — do. The facts are clear: Since the federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004, mass shooting deaths have increased by 347%. We know that banning these weapons of war will save lives — we just can't wait for the NRA to stop defending them.

We have the power to take action on the gun violence epidemic and prioritize banning assault weapons — and stop more anniversaries of senseless tragedy.

This is a somber day, but it's also a day where we can instill so much more hope into our fight. Will you join me and recommit to making sure we pass key legislation to end gun violence and save lives? Our petition closes at midnight, but we're still missing your name!

Thank you,

Liz Dunning