John,  I'm updating you on how things look since Liz emailed earlier today. So far, thousands of grassroots supporters like you have signed our Mother's Day petition demanding real action against gun violence. But there are still about 2,900 signatures left to go — including 28 in your area. Can you sign right now, before Mother's Day is over?

Liz and I have a similar story, and I really wish neither of us did. Both Liz's mother and mine were shot and murdered. I never would have imagined that this would be my story, but losing a loved one to gun violence is a horrific experience that I share with Liz and far too many others across the country.

When my mother was killed — and my father shot multiple times — I felt numb — it seemed so easy to give in to the idea that I was helpless to stop this from happening again, that progress was impossible. But that was before I found Brady and met the other survivors leading this movement. These are the people that inspire me with their tenacity every day, and it’s because of your support that we’re able to keep fighting alongside one another. 

Today, I know we can come together and save lives — so I'm focused on that. I'm focused on how I can honor my mother’s memory. I'm focused on the power we have to honor all the mothers and other loved ones killed by gun violence — by demanding Congress take action to prevent gun violence by passing common-sense bipartisan reforms. But we're not going to get there without you. Please, before our midnight deadline, will you sign our petition demanding action from Congress to prevent gun violence and save lives?

Mother's Day will always be hard for me, but it will mean so much to hit this goal and know we're closer than ever to real change. Thank you for being part of it.

Christian Heyne
Gun Violence Survivor & Vice President of Policy