Dear John,

A state of emergency. Tactical gear. Grenades. AR-15s.

This set the scene for last Monday, or what should have been the 28th Annual Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Virginia. An estimated 22,000 extremists traveled from outside Virginia to oppose the state's proposed gun reform legislation, like universal background checks. Due to threats of violence, we joined our partners in calling off our event.

But we're proud to report that pro-gun extremists failed to stop our progress. Yesterday, an incredible SEVEN bills to prevent gun violence passed a House committee in Virginia. This victory proves that armed intimidation will NOT defeat us.

Our fight to prevent gun violence is working! But we can't let up. We need to let extremists know that we won’t ever back down in the face of intimidation — whether that's in Viriginia or wherever so-called "Second Amendment sanctuary" movements are growing. 

Will you sign our pledge now to show you stand with us?

For the past 28 years, a vigil has been held on MLK Jr. Day in Richmond, VA, to honor and remember victims and survivors of gun violence. While the event was formally canceled, Brady Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter members were able to help organize a small group of activists to continue the tradition. Recap: Brady Hosts a Presidential Forum in Iowa

Last weekend, Brady hosted our first presidential forum in Des Moines, Iowa, to hear Democratic candidates' plans to fix our democracy. We covered how the disastrous Supreme Court decision in Citzens United unleashed the gun lobby into our government, letting it flood our elections with unlimited money and influence. 

Elizabeth Warren highlighted how 90% of Americans support common-sense gun reform, yet the Senate fails to act because of influence from the NRA and the gun lobby. Amy Klobuchar underscored how states across the country are enacting strong gun safety legislation, while Sen. Mitch McConnell refuses to act.

🎧 We recorded a podcast episode live from Iowa. Listen now!

One major takeaway from Iowa? We need a president in the White House who will kick the gun lobby out of our elections. Watch the full event livestream here. 

Victory! Baltimore County Council Passes Landmark SAFE Act

This week, the Baltimore (MD) County Council unanimously passed the Secure All Firearms Effectively (SAFE) Act. This is a first-of-its-kind bill to ensure licensed gun dealers implement proper security measures to prevent gun theft. The passage came on the heels of Brady's testimony before the Council. The SAFE ACT will go a long way in Baltimore, helping ensure security measures are in place to stop firearms from being stolen. Learn more about the SAFE ACT.

FINAL DEADLINE: Team ENOUGH Youth-Led Lobbying Collectives

We’re calling on youth activists in Florida and California to join our new Team ENOUGH lobbying collectives! Team ENOUGH is a one-of-a-kind organization that trains students on how to effectively lobby their lawmakers. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity. Applications are due TOMORROW, Sunday, January 26.

 Not a student? Please help us spread the word to young people you know in California and Florida. 

Congrats to Team ENOUGH's Aalayah Eastmond!



On Monday, Team ENOUGH leader Aalayah Eastmond was awarded the MLK Day Youth Award by the National Action Network. Aalayah, who survived the Parkland shooting and is a leader in the fight against gun violence, was given the award by MLK Jr.’s family. To work alongside passionate activists like Aalayah, join Team ENOUGH today!  

Gun Reform is NOT Jim Crow

“What we cannot do is indiscriminately apply laws to meet the needs of those in power i.e., fail to defend the rights of Black Americans to own and carry guns while aggressively upholding the rights of white Americans to do so anytime, anywhere. Because that would be akin to Jim Crow."

— Erica Rice, Brady Program Manager, Crime Guns 

During Monday's pro-gun rally on Monday, a protestor held a sign that said, “Gun Control is Jim Crow.” But is it really? We don’t think so. This statement in itself, at best, shows the hypocrisy of the gun rights movement. Our Erica Rice wrote a piece explaining how, more often than not, Black men do not enjoy the same Second Amendment rights as White men. Read more on Medium.

Photo credit: KatzOnEarth/Twitter

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Brady Continues to Fight Against Disturbing “Second Amendment Sanctuaries”

We continue to challenge so-called “Second Amendment sanctuaries,” a growing movement of localities refusing to enforce or follow state gun safety laws. In New Jersey, Brady member and veteran Mike Vrabel testifed against a push to pass Second Amendment resolutions in Sussex and Warren Counties.

In Wisconsin, we teamed up with local groups — including the statewide End Domestic Abuse coalition, the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Educational Fund, and Moms Demand Action groups — to counter "Second Amendment aanctuary" resolutions proposed by four counties. Our joint work has resulted in three Wisconsin county boards rejecting these proposals over the last month alone.

"I implore this body to consider the implications of your actions. What message does it send to our brave men and women of law enforcement to openly defy laws intended to make us all safer? 

What message does it send to our students, who more and more each day face the real possibility of a mass shooting? How can we with a straight face tell them to obey the law when their local government openly impugns the law?

Vote for sanity tonight, vote no on this resolution."

— An excerpt of testimony by Mike Vrabel, member of Brady New Jersey and Brady Sussex County (NJ) Chapter

Second Amendment Sanctuaries, Explained, The Trace

Amid Gun-Rights Rally, some Speak out for Gun Control, Richmond Times-Dispatch  
Militia Leaders Warn Virginia Gun Rally Could get Violent, Reuters 

Gun Activists Seek 'Second Amendment Sanctuary’ Designations in Ohio, Cleveland.com

Baltimore County Council Passes Amended Bill to Require More Security at Gun Shops and Show, Baltimore Sun

Stephanie Murphy Picks up Endorsements for Reelection Bid, Florida PoliticsThis week, we're thanking members of the Brady Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter. In the face of armed intimidation, they refused to back down from what is just and right. Days after the massive pro-gun rally took over their hometown, they perservered in helping further advance gun reform legislation in Virginia. 

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“We can never be complacent when our communities and families continue to be torn apart by gun violence. It is long past time for every state and our federal government to renew serious discussions on how we can address this crisis.”

— Brady President Kris Brown in her remarks on recent mass shootings

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