John,
Monday marks 57 years since Bloody Sunday. This day, a major turning point in the civil rights movement, 25-year-old John Lewis led hundreds of marchers in Selma, AL, to demand the right to vote. He, like others, bled, was beaten, and ultimately risked his life to secure the right to vote for Black Americans.
Rep. Lewis brought that same fierce advocacy to Congress in addressing our nation’s weak gun laws.
In 2016, it was an inspiration to us all when he led a sit-in on the House floor after Congress failed to enact gun reform in the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre. And he didn’t stop there. In 2019, I was lucky enough to walk with activists, survivors of gun violence, and Rep. Lewis to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office and demand that he schedule a vote on legislation to expand Brady Background Checks. It was a surreal moment to march down the halls of the U.S. Capitol with Rep. Lewis, who had done so much for our country, witnessing his quiet, steely determination for our cause. And while Congress failed to bring these bills to a vote, Rep. Lewis taught us that we can never give up, that our voice is our power, and that we are stronger united as one. He taught us to never be afraid, to make some noise, and get into what he called “good, necessary trouble” — and that’s why I’m reaching out to you today, John.
Right now, legislation to strengthen and expand Brady Background Checks on gun sales sits before the U.S. Senate. John, these are the same bills Rep. Lewis was fighting to pass. The vast American public — gun owners and non-gun owners alike — support these bills, but some members of the U.S. Senate refuse to act. So, please, join me in getting loud, as Rep. Lewis would want, and demand the U.S. Senate bring these bills to a vote!
|
|
|
Rep. Lewis’ love for this country was limitless, and he relentlessly fought to make it live up to its promise. If he were here today, he’d want us to demand change in our nation’s gun laws.
I hope you’ll join me in honoring his legacy today, John.
In solidarity,
Kris Brown
President, Brady
|
Demand Gun Violence Prevention Following President Biden’s SOTU!
This week, President Biden addressed our nation in his first State of the Union address. Pres. Biden couldn’t have said it better: “These laws don’t infringe on the Second Amendment. They save lives.” And that’s exactly what common-sense gun laws do, John.
Right now, we’re working hard in Congress with Mike and Kristin Song whose son, Ethan, was killed with an unsecured, easily accessible handgun in a neighbor’s home. If the gun had been securely stored — Ethan would be alive today.
Yet the sad reality is this: There’s NO federal safe gun storage law to prevent what killed Ethan, and so many others. But it doesn’t have to be this way. No family should have to suffer the pain and grief the Songs have experienced — especially when there are solutions before Congress right now, like Ethan’s Law. Ethan’s Law, named in honor of Ethan, would create the FIRST federal law to require safe storage of guns when children might have access to them.
It would help prevent family fire — a shooting that involves an improperly stored or misused gun in the home that results in death or injury. This week, we’ve met with members of Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to support Ethan’s Law. In honor of Ethan’s life, I hope you’ll join us by urging your representatives to co-sponsor Ethan’s Law.
|
Correction: An email sent yesterday incorrectly stated that eight children and teens are killed every day due to an unlocked or unsupervised gun in the home. In actuality, eight children and teens are killed or injured every day. |
CALLING CALIFORNIA ACTIVISTS: RSVP for Brady and Team ENOUGH’s Virtual Advocacy Week! |
We’re less than THREE weeks away from Brady California, Team ENOUGH, and our fantastic local and state-wide partners’ virtual Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Week! We’re mobilizing grassroots supporters to advocate for our priority gun safety bills — and you’re invited to join us starting on Monday, March 21.
Never advocated for gun violence prevention before? That’s OK! We’ll handle setting up the meetings with lawmakers and you’ll be joined by expert staff from Brady, Team ENOUGH, and partner organizations to advocate with you. Before we start our advocacy week, we’ll kick off a “Breakfast for Gun Violence Prevention" at 10 a.m. PT to learn more about the priority bills and ask questions about them. All you need to do is show up ready to make your voice heard for gun violence prevention in California — we’ll handle the rest! Will you RSVP right now? |
Episode 174 — Seeking Justice for Rachel: Guns in the Hands of Prohibited Purchasers
In 2018, Rachel Duncan was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend — a prohibited gun purchaser — after he obtained the murder weapon at a gun store and shooting range. |
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. |
|
|
Brady
840 First Street, NE
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
United States unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
