John—

This week has been a rollercoaster. 

On Tuesday, the Senate introduced a historic, bipartisan gun safety package. Last night, the bill passed the Senate 65 to 33, and today, the House passed it as well–and it’s now heading to President Biden’s desk for his signature. Among other things, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funds extreme risk protection order laws, makes it harder for abusive dating partners to get guns, and requires enhanced background checks for people under 21. This is the first significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in nearly 30 years, and this victory is due in no small part to your support.

Also yesterday, the ultra-conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court released a 6–3 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, overturning a New York law that has stood for more than 100 years. The decision will make it easier for people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public, which will in turn make it easier for confrontations to turn deadly. 

Last September, we filed an amicus brief defending New York’s concealed carry law and urged the court to affirm the lower court decision that upheld it. But thanks to a vigorous pressure campaign, the gun lobby has found a powerful ally to impose its dangerous “guns everywhere” agenda on all of us.

With this one opinion, the Supreme Court jeopardized similar concealed carry laws in a number of states—and threatened the safety of Americans across the country. The court’s decisions this week, in Bruen, Roe, and others, show just how out of touch it is with the American people.

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We know the Supreme Court is out of step with history, with public opinion, and with lawmakers. And now, in spite of a major bipartisan victory in Congress, our attorneys must fight back against the gun lobby’s efforts in the courts to strike down laws that keep our families and communities safe.

This is a consequential moment in our nation’s history, and your support is crucial in the fight to save lives. 

We are so grateful to have you with us. Thank you. 

All my best,
Adam

PS: Please make a gift today so we can ensure the gun lobby doesn’t bully or buy its way out of taking responsibility for its role in the gun violence crisis.

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Adam Skaggs
Chief Counsel and Policy Director
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence