Nation’s Oldest and Boldest Gun Violence Prevention Nonprofit Launches New Era
Nation’s Oldest and Boldest Gun Violence Prevention Nonprofit Launches New Era
Brady Campaign & Center to Prevent Gun Violence Now Brady
Washington, D.C., February 27, 2019 — Twenty-five years ago on February 28, 1994, Jim and Sarah Brady’s leadership and years of advocacy culminated in the implementation of the Brady Bill, the landmark law requiring background checks on gun sales by federally licensed firearms dealers. Since its enactment, the Brady Background Check system has successfully blocked more than three million prohibited purchases of firearms by dangerous individuals. Today, the organization that bears Jim and Sarah’s name is announcing a new name and focus — to unite Americans across all spectrums against gun violence as Brady.
Brady president Kris Brown stated,
“Gun violence doesn’t care who you voted for, what you believe in, how old you are, or what you do for a living. Where you live shouldn’t determine if you live. Whether you’re the gun dealer who performs a background check, the politician who reaches across the aisle, or the individual who stores their gun safely, it’s in our hands to prevent gun violence. Only by uniting together can we bring an end to the epidemic of gun violence once and for all, and we are recommitting to that effort today.
“We are united against gun violence. We are Brady.”
Watch our launch video: https://youtu.be/
Brady board chair Kevin Quinn added,
“For generations, Brady has led the fight in our country against gun violence. We led the fight with Jim and Sarah Brady to ensure that background checks for gun sales is now the standard, and we are leading the fight today to expand those checks to all sales. With 96 people shot and killed every day in our country, we must all unite to combat this epidemic. And that is what Brady does best – we unite, rather than divide. We reach out with open hands, not closed fists. We take action, not sides. And we will win this fight the way our country has always conquered challenges – together.”
Today’s announcement encapsulates the spirit and accomplishments of Jim and Sarah Brady, two leaders in the movement to create a safer America. A bullet to the brain could not silence Jim “Bear” Brady. A lifetime of caring for a grievously injured husband could not stop Sarah from fighting for all of us. Brady’s new logo represents the cross-aisle work that Jim and Sarah did – the red and blue uniting as purple. Political pragmatists that they were, Jim and Sarah knew that solutions can only be achieved when we take action and find middle ground. The organization that Sarah led, that led the biggest advances in gun violence prevention over the past 50 years, lives that, too. Brady has one goal and one goal alone: to end gun violence.
Moving forward, Brady will continue to focus on state and federal policy, and key initiatives including:
Combating Crime Guns
The majority of gun dealers in this country are responsible and sell guns according to federal and state law. A small minority of gun dealers, however, supply the criminal market. About 5 percent of gun dealers are responsible for about 90 percent of recovered crime guns. With staffed programs in Milwaukee, WI; Oakland, CA; and Los Angeles, CA, Brady’s Combating Crime Guns Initiative aims to reduce gun violence in impacted communities by stemming the flow of crime guns, frequently from dealers outside their city or even their own state. Strategically, the Combating Crime Guns Initiative focuses on the irresponsible actions of the upstream source of crime guns rather than the individuals that perpetrate crime.
End Family Fire
Family fire is a shooting involving an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home that results in death or injury, including unintentional shootings, suicides, and intentional shootings. 4.6 million children live in homes with access to an unlocked or unsupervised gun, and every day, eight children or teens are unintentionally killed or injured due to family fire. Through a comprehensive public awareness campaign, Brady is committed to putting an end to this crisis.
Brady Legal Alliance
Hundreds of lawyers across the country and law firms, from large international firms to smaller private practices, partner with Brady to form a national alliance dedicated to reducing gun violence through litigation in the courts. Working with Brady’s legal team, our national network of lawyers fight for a safer America. We’ve secured landmark precedents that hold gun companies legally accountable for the deaths and injuries they cause, won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, and forced gun companies to start using responsible, safer business practices.
Team ENOUGH
Founded in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, Team ENOUGH is a diverse and intersectional movement driven by young voices. Recognizing that America’s youth brings significant value to the national debate – drive, a no-nonsense approach, and an unapologetic quest for answers and actions to prevent gun violence – Brady brought together student activists from across the country, providing a platform for them to amplify their voices for greater impact.
Through education, legislation, and litigation, Brady will continue to uphold Jim and Sarah Brady’s legacy as the oldest and boldest gun violence prevention organization in America. Because when a life ends by gun violence, it’s not just the hand on the gun that is responsible. It’s in the hands of our leaders, voters, and communities. It’s in everyone’s hands to change this. It’s in the hands of everyone who puts their hands together, and raises them to save a life.
It’s in our hands.
Visit our website: https://www.bradyunited.org
Join us on social media:
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Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in the common sense. In the spirit of our founders Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 25 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.
