FALL 2016 The Brady Report FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE BRADY CAMPAIGN & BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE No matter how much fear politicians like Donald J. Trump try to instill in the populace, and no matter how much money the gun lobby spends trying to arm that hate, we are better than this. Dan Gross, President The Choice is Ours By Dan Gross, President So much has happened since our last issue of The Brady Report. We witnessed the most appalling mass shooting in U.S. history to date, when 102 people were shot, with 49 killed, by a terrorist gunman at a LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Over subsequent weeks, the nation was also outraged by shootings by police, and of police, in Minnesota, Baton Rouge, and Dallas. Then, in July, the election season truly kicked off, with the Republican National Convention in Cleveland a convention that will be remembered for its single minded focus of striking fear in the heart of every American; and where the National Rifle Association (NRA) was given a primetime spot so its chief lobbyist could sell more guns by advancing the gun lobby fantasy that guns in the home, our schools, daycare centers, and churches somehow make us safer. Two days later, Donald Trump accepted his party s nomination with a 76-minute-long speech that focused on law and order and making America safe again. But here s the thing: Not once in that speech did Mr. Trump mention the 33,000 people who die in the U.S. every year as a result of gun violence. In the GOP-NRA s joint attempt to scare the hell out of fellow Americans, there were no mentions of real solutions that could prevent gun violence. (Unless, of course, you believe the gun lobby s big lie that more guns are the answer.) Also conveniently left out of the discussion: Brady background checks, which have now stopped 2.6 million gun purchase attempts by violent criminals, domestic abusers, and dangerously mentally ill people the very people we all agree shouldn t have guns and the urgent need to expand those checks to all gun sales, including online and at gun shows. The simple truth is, you cannot talk about how to Make America Safe Again without talking about guns. Every day in this country, 90 men, women and children are killed with firearms. Someone dies from a bullet every 16 minutes. You cannot talk about law and order without addressing the laws and policies we need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. The craven, lapdog politicians who take money from the pro-gun racket Mr. Trump, included have so far been unwilling to have a serious conversation about how to reduce gun fatalities and fix the laws that allow dangerous people easy access to guns. Story Continues Inside» Inside: On Unity, Resolve and Momentum Victory in California October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Legal Update: Brady Wins in Supreme Court www.bradycampaign.org
The Choice is Ours» Continued From Front In the midst of a nationwide public health crisis, we re paralyzed because some people can t seem to talk about this issue without resorting to patently false gun lobby talking points and Constitutional hysterics. That lack of progress puts you, me, our families, and every citizen in this country at greater risk for becoming victims of gun violence. Last fall, the Brady Campaign became the first gun violence prevention organization to endorse a presidential candidate for 2016. Hillary Clinton has not wavered on her position that this epidemic needs to be addressed and victims and their families deserve more than thoughts and prayers from lawmakers. And we saw her leadership on display at the Democratic National Convention, which offered a stark contrast with the Republican convention the week before. Gun violence prevention activists and survivors and Secretary Clinton herself made common-sense proposals to make Americans safer by keeping guns out of dangerous hands a centerpiece of the convention. Clinton has not only made history by becoming the first woman to win the nomination for a major party, she has also made history by running on a gun violence prevention platform. Sec. Clinton was there when the Brady Bill was signed in 1993, and she s with us now to finish the job she stared with Jim and Sarah Brady. Like the rest of us, she has had #ENOUGH of senseless tragedies that claim 90 mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters every day in this country. No matter how much fear politicians like Donald Trump try to instill, and no matter how much money the gun lobby spends trying to arm hate, we must continue to demand action and common sense reform to prevent gun violence and save lives. We cannot let up in our efforts to end gun violence. Countless people who could be spared tragedy are depending on us to expand Brady background checks to all gun sales to keep firearms out of the hands of terrorists and other dangerous people who shouldn t have guns to expose the blatant lies of a corrupt gun industry and corporate gun lobby to protest and help shut down bad apple gun dealers who supply criminals with illegal guns and to hold craven, lapdog politicians accountable. ON UNITY, RESOLVE AND MOMENTUM Congress Shows It Has a Pulse. Now it Just Needs a Heart. The American people have had #ENOUGH inaction from spineless politicians who arm hate and enable gun violence. So the Brady Campaign continues to lead the charge to demand that Congress FINISH THE JOB and close the deadly loopholes in our nation s gun laws. Immediately following the horrific mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12th, Brady organized a nationwide effort to channel public outrage to Capitol Hill leading a diverse coalition of gun violence prevention activists, LGBTQ advocates, public health organizations, faith leaders, political leaders, and everyday Americans. Within days, citizens from every state had joined us to flood the offices of Congressional lawmakers. In addition, more than 175 organizations and Brady partners in gun violence prevention submitted a letter to the Senate, underscoring what s at stake and urging lawmakers to expand Brady background checks to all gun sales. Well over 160,000 Brady activists called their Senators demanding a vote to expand background checks and keep guns out of the hands of terrorists. Meanwhile, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and other Senators stood on the U.S. Senate floor to demand a vote on expanding Brady background checks for nearly 15 hours in solidarity with Americans who want change. On June 20th, we achieved what seemed impossible even a month prior; Brady activists forced the U.S. Senate to vote on bills to expand Brady background checks to all gun sales and make sure known terrorists can t buy guns. Although both measures fell short, our unity, resolve and momentum sent a clear message to federal lawmakers: Time is running out to get on the right side of history and we will hold you accountable. The time has come for us to choose what kind of America we want. Will it be a fear-filled dystopia with more guns everywhere, consequences-be-damned? Or will we be a nation that values life more than gun profits and moves beyond fear to make history once again? The choice is ours. DG CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION Find us online @BradyBuzz on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/bradycampaign Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, shows her support.
WHAT S NEXT? We are extremely proud of our allies who fought so hard to demand action in Congress. Our promise to every Brady supporter is to hold our nation s lawmakers accountable. Since the tragic shooting in Orlando, we have worked hard to keep that promise and demand that Congress FINISH THE JOB and pass gun violence prevention legislation that will save lives. Here are three ways you can help us keep up the momentum for change: Make Your Voice Heard Visit www.bradycampaign.org and click on TAKE ACTION to contact your U.S. Senators. Tell them you support legislation to expand Brady background checks to all gun sales and keep guns out of the hands of known terrorists. From June 22nd to June 23rd, 170 members of Congress took shifts in a historic sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to demand votes on expanding Brady background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of known terrorists. Speaker Paul Ryan adjourned the House for vacation without scheduling any votes, and the eyes of the nation were on Washington as thousands of Brady supporters rallied with members of Congress on the steps of the Capitol. Stay Informed Find real-time updates from the Brady Campaign on Twitter @BradyBuzz and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bradycampaign, and share our posts to change minds and hearts. Get Active Go to www.bradycampaign.org/chapters and become involved with your local Brady Campaign/Million Mom March chapter to make a difference in your community. VICTORY IN CALIFORNIA The Brady Campaign and its network of 27 Brady California chapters celebrated a well-deserved victory in July when Governor Jerry Brown signed into law strong reforms to keep ammunition and guns including military-style weapons of war like those used in the San Bernardino shooting out of dangerous hands. Brady activists put enormous pressure on state legislators to do the right thing. As a result, lawmakers enacted common sense solutions that make California communities safer and healthier for all. The American people are with us, and people around the world are with us. - Congressman John Lewis U.S. Representative for Georgia s 5th Congressional District
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month While the gun lobby continues to promote a reckless and deadly myth that buying a gun for self-defense will make you safer, Brady is arming Americans with the facts. To mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Brady Campaign/Million Mom March chapters across the country will be reaching out to their communities to raise awareness about the lethal dangers of guns in the home. According to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, a gun in the home is 7 times more likely to be used for homicide or assault than for self-defense. Where a gun is present, the risk of homicide for people living in that home more than doubles. And victims of domestic violence are five times more likely to be killed by their abuser when a gun is readily available. The gun industry continues to target women with disturbing and false propaganda. This October, help us counter these myths with the truth by sharing our social media posts on Twitter @BradyBuzz and Facebook at www.facebook.com/bradycampaign. Now Open: EnoughStuff.org Brady s #ENOUGH campaign represents a collective statement that we have had #ENOUGH of mass shootings, #ENOUGH of daily terror, and #ENOUGH of politicians who put the gun lobby ahead of our personal safety. Now, by purchasing clothes and gear from EnoughStuff.org, you can show your support for a safer America and help us achieve our goal of cutting U.S. gun deaths in half by 2025. Visit TalkAboutGuns.org With 1.7 million kids living in the same house as a loaded, unlocked gun, America can t afford to ignore the danger
Legal Update: Brady Wins in Supreme Court The right to bear arms does not trump the right to live. Jon Lowy, Director of the Brady Center s Legal Action Project Following the recent SCOTUS decision to uphold Connecticut s assault weapons ban Two recent victories in the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) underscore the importance of the work of the Brady Center s Legal Action Project and the far-reaching implications of the cases we take on. Voisine v. United States: Keeping Guns Out of the Hands of Domestic Abusers The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to a federal law forbidding those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing a gun a major victory for both gun violence prevention and domestic violence prevention advocates. Two convicted domestic abusers in Maine had argued their domestic abuse convictions were not serious enough to keep them from owning guns. The Brady Center filed amicus briefs arguing that the law broadly prohibits domestic abusers from having firearms, and in a 6-2 decision, the Supreme Court agreed with Brady, and ruled against the domestic abusers. Shew v. Malloy: Upholding Connecticut s Assault Weapons Ban After the December 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, the state enacted a law to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines and certain assault-style weapons including the AR-15 used in the Newtown shooting and in subsequent mass shootings. A coalition of gun dealers and pro-gun extremists sued to strike down the law, claiming the Second Amendment gives individuals the right to possess these deadly military-style weapons. The Brady Center, with the assistance of the White & Case law firm, helped successfully defend that law before trial and appellate courts, arguing that assault weapons are not constitutionally protected. In June, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected the plaintiff s request to review the appellate decision upholding the Connecticut law. The Brady Center remains America s only law group fighting in the courts to prevent gun violence. To learn more and get the latest docket updates or to join the fight as a volunteer with Lawyers for a Safer America visit www.bradycenter.org. Q&A: 4 Questions with Avery Gardiner, new Chief Legal Officer for the Legal Action Project Avery Gardiner joined the Brady Center in June 2016 as our new Chief Legal Officer. She is responsible for shaping and driving the organization s legal strategy, as well as providing legal advice to all of the organization s departments. She brings extensive litigation experience to the Brady Center, having representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex litigation, including on behalf of the United States as a lawyer at the Department of Justice. Ms. Gardiner graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, both with honors. She has practiced law with the firms of Kirkland & Ellis and WilmerHale, in addition to her DOJ experience. Most recently, she was a lawyer at Verizon Communications Inc. She began her career as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. As Chief Legal Officer, what is your role with the Brady Center? Brady brings on critically important legal cases, and we will continue to do so. The team and I are working to design new legal strategies to reduce gun violence. I m also focused on finding new ways to integrate our legal work with the other very important parts of the Brady organization, and to marshal the talents of lawyers across the country who want to take action against gun violence. How did you get involved with gun violence prevention? My ENOUGH moment was when I learned that my child s kindergarten class does active-shooter drills in school. I realized in that moment that if I could use my skills and expertise to prevent gun violence and make America a safer place, I must do it. Why did you choose to join the legal team at Brady? I think Brady s thoughtful, multi-faceted approach to gun violence prevention can unite Americans including responsible gun owners who wish to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. What gives you hope in the fight to end our epidemic of gun violence? From a legal action perspective, we ve seen an incredible outpouring of support from lawyers all across America in the wake of the recent shootings in Orlando and elsewhere. With the amount of time, energy and money hard-working citizens are willing to give to this cause, I know we can make a real difference and reduce gun violence. VICTORY! Peruta v. County of San Diego In a major victory for gun violence prevention laws, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld California s reasonable restrictions on carrying concealed handguns in public. Brady played a critical role defending this key law since 2010, moving to intervene when San Diego County declined to challenge a 2-1 panel decision that struck down the law as unconstitutional. Brady s work helped protect Californians right to be protected from loaded, hidden guns in restaurants, parks, streets and other public places, and helped establish a significant precedent supporting gun laws for courts nationwide.
2.6 MILLION AND COUNTING Based on the latest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Brady background checks have now blocked more than 2.6 million gun sales to prohibited purchasers. YET 40% of gun sales STILL do not require a Brady background check. 40% How criminals and dangerous people are getting guns without a Brady Background Check Internet gun sales Gun shows Private transactions HERE S HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE GET INVOLVED Find your local Brady chapter online at www.bradycampaign.org or start a new one in your community. CALL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Urge your local, state and federal elected officials to support expanded background check legislation that cover ALL gun sales. WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Help us make the case in your local newspaper for expanding life-saving Brady background checks. SIGN OUR PETITION Go to www.bradycampaign.org and demand that lawmakers FINISH THE JOB and make expanded Brady background checks federal law. MAKE YOUR GIFT Sustain and expand the Brady Campaign and our crucial, life-saving work with a generous gift of financial support. LEARN MORE AT WWW.BRADYCAMPAIGN.ORG FOLLOW US 840 First Street NE, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20002 Info@BradyCampaign.org www.bradycampaign.org