Thursday, November 10, 2016

Notes from the Brady Campaign on Elections 2016

“Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.” – Hillary Clinton 

This has been a hard week for our movement and for our nation.

The result in the Presidential election just makes Brady and its mission more essential as we work to hold the line on the lifesaving advancements we have made, and continue our march across the states for lifesaving gun reforms.

Although we are incredibly disappointed that a candidate who ran his campaign on a message of hate, violence, intimidation, and fear will be the next President of the United States, that won’t stop us from fighting with everything we’ve got for the safer America wall want and deserve. Trump's election isn’t the end of that fight. It's just the beginning.

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But together, we can send Donald Trump and the new Republican Congress a message that their opposition to lifesaving gun reform won’t fly, and that we will not allow them to roll back any of the progress we have already made together.

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It’s also important to remember, that while the results of the Presidential race and a number of others were clearly not the ones we wanted, we made some critical progress during this election.

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When Gun Violence Prevention was on the ballot, we did extremely well. We also won in a number of key races across the country where candidates ran against the corporate gun lobby – and I want to list just a few:

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* In three out of four states where our issue was directly on the ballot we won– and we came very close in Maine as well.

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* While the House and Senate races did not turn out as we might have liked, we did have dominated:

* In the Senate: Kamala Harris, CA made issue front and center and won big.


* In Nevada, a true battleground state where we also won an initiative to expand Brady background checks to all gun sales, Catherine Cortez Masto was outspoken on the issue and defeated Assemblyman Joe Heck who received a strong A rating from the NRA.

* In the House, in a traditionally conservative Florida District political newcomer Stephanie Murphy won with our endorsement over 12-term incumbent, Gun Lobby lapdog John Mica. 


* CA Proposition 63, also known as the Safety for All initiative, is important progress when it comes to cracking down on ‘bad apple’ gun dealers. Most notably, Prop. 63 will help identify and prosecute straw buyers and cut down on illegal gun trafficking by requiring the reporting of lost and stolen guns. Brady’s 28 California chapters have led grassroots efforts in support of Proposition 63. The initiative will build upon significant legislation signed into California law this year. 

An historic eight gun violence prevention bills were signed into by Governor Jerry Brown in 2016.

* WA Initiative 149 will allow either police or family members to file a petition if someone with a gun is presenting a danger to themselves or others. If the court finds the subject of the petition to be in “significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others with a firearm,” the court could temporarily order the removal of guns and other weapons by the state.


This election, while disappointing in many ways, still shows that we are making real progress day-by-day and step-by-step.

As long as we have the support of 93% Americans, 90% Republicans, 4 out of 5 gun owners, we can never and will never rule out possibility of federal change.

That’s why strategy is so important. We will not stop those efforts to:

Talk About Guns and ASK about guns, our campaigns that can save thousands of lives every year by changing culture and social norms.

Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers, which, regardless of who is in the White House or Congress, has the enormous potential to reduce gun violence in our most dangerous cities across the country.
Hold negligent and irresponsible gun dealers accountable through our groundbreaking legal action.

Use our powerful grassroots network to effect policy change at every level of government, including by building the momentum locally and state-by-state, where ballot initiatives have been very successful.
We have the potential to dramatically reduce the number of gun deaths over the next four years regardless of who is President or who is in charge of Congress.

Social change is messy. The important thing is not let any unexpected disappointment, however large, distract us from our mission.


Yes, we are shocked and hurt. Let’s turn that pain into a resolve and passion for change. 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

2016 CA Firearms Legislative Summary


2016 California Firearms Legislation Summary

Every year, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violencetracks and analyzes all firearm-related legislation introduced in the California Legislature, and helps craft and testify in support of bills to strengthen our gun safety laws.  

This year, California legislators introduced an historic number of firearm-related bills, including numeroussignificant and innovative measures to improve public safety. So far, Governor Brown has signed six of these bills, including legislation to comprehensively regulate ammunition sales and close loopholes in our state’s assault weapon and large capacity magazine ban statutes.  The Governor’s budget also appropriated funds to establish an academic research center in the UC system dedicated to the study of gun violence and prevention

Amid these crucial successes, the Governor also vetoed some gun safety bills, including legislation to require gun owners to report the loss or theft of a firearm, to restrict bulk firearm purchases, and to regulate certain firearm components that enable individuals to self-assemble untraceable firearms.

A few bills are still awaiting the Governor’s signature, including a bill to strengthen state gun laws by requiring safe storage of handguns in unattended motor vehicles, as well as a bill seeking to weaken our gun laws by exempting large numbers of peace officers from California’s landmark Unsafe Handgun Act. 


Gun Bills Signed by the Governor
• AB 1135 (Levine/Ting) and SB 880 (Hall/Glazer): Closing the bullet button loophole
• AB 1511 (Santiago): Narrowing firearm loansloophole
• AB 1695 (Bonta): Criminalizing false reports of lost or stolen firearms
• SB 1235 (De Leon): Comprehensive ammunition regulation (*SB 1235 provides that most of its provisions will become inoperative if Prop 63 ispassed by California voters this November*)
• SB 1446 (Hancock): Prohibiting possession of LCMs (*Prop 63 contains similar provisions but authorizes stronger penalties for individuals found in unlawful possession*)
• AB 857 (Cooper): “Ghost gun” serialization
Resolutions Adopted by the Legislature

• HR 52 (Rendon/Gipson): Recognizing Gun Violence Awareness Day
• SJR 20 (Hall): Opposing federal ban on CDC gun violence research



Gun Bills Vetoed by the Governor
• AB 1176 (Cooper): Placing Prop 47 fix on Nov.ballot (*Veto message noted that Prop 63includes similar provisions*)
• AB 1673 (Gipson): Regulating nearly finished firearm frames and receivers (“80% receivers”) as firearms
• AB 1674 (Santiago): One firearm per month 
• AB 2607 (Ting)Expanding GVRO law
• SB 894 (Jackson): Lost/stolen reporting law

Gun Bills Awaiting Action by the Governor
• AB 2165 (Bonta)Unsafe Handgun Act exception for more peace officers
• SB 869 (Hill): Safe handgun storage in unattended motor vehicles
• SB 877 (Pan): Improving violent death data collection
• SB 1324 (Hancock): Reauthorizing funding sources for anti-violence peer counselors
• AB 450 (McCarty): Requiring CCW permitting authorities to charge application feesliftingstatutory fee cap
• AB 2510 (Linder): Uniform CCW licenses
• SB 1332 (Mendoza): Allowing new firearm loan exception and joint spousal registration” of firearms
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Friday, September 2, 2016

September 1, 2016

BRADY CAMPAIGN ENDORSES PROPOSITION 63

SACRAMENTO - President of the 28 California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Peggy McCrum, issued the following statement endorsing Proposition 63, the Safety for All initiative.

"Voting 'yes' on Proposition 63 is a no-brainer for any Californian who wants to keep guns out of the hands of violent felons and domestic abusers. Plain and simple, the policies contained in Prop. 63 are going to save lives. Keeping guns away from dangerous people is something we all can, and should, get behind. That's why Brady is all-in to help ensure victory at the ballot box in November. The California Chapters of the Brady Campaign have seen historic success this year, helping usher in seven new gun reform laws. And we are committed to see this important initiative through as well. Californians are ready for this.”

Proposition 63 will keep guns out of dangerous hands by providing a clear process for the timely relinquishment of firearms by prohibited persons. Proposition 63 will also help identify and prosecute straw buyers and cut down on illegal gun trafficking by requiring the reporting of lost and stolen guns. We know gun traffickers use the excuse that their guns were lost or stolen when crime guns are traced back to them.

Proposition 63 will build upon the significant legislation already signed into law this year. Led by the California chapters of the Brady Campaign and key allies in the state Senate and Assembly, seven public safety measures have been enacted this session. It's the greatest number of gun violence prevention bills signed into California law in more than 25 years. Among them are bold new laws requiring background checks for ammunition purchasers and licensing of ammunition vendors. Important legislation was also passed to strengthen California’s laws keeping high capacity ammunition magazines and weapons of war, like the guns used in the San Bernardino shooting, out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and those who are dangerously mentally ill. Additionally, a law was enacted to make sure that people who make or assemble their own guns pass a background check.

The California chapters of the Brady Campaign played a vital role in fighting for each one of the new laws, working side-by-side with lawmakers the entire way and driving tens of thousands of emails and calls into the offices of lawmakers.

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The mission of the Brady organization and its Million Mom March is to create a safer America by cutting gun deaths in half by 2025.

About Us: The Brady Campaign and Center, united with the Million Mom March, is a national network of more than 90 grassroots chapter affiliates mobilized to prevent gun violence at the community level. The network has played a vital role in expanding Brady background checks in the six states that have passed legislation since the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and produced the largest national protest of gun violence in U.S. history - The Million Mom March, Mother’s Day 2000



Sunday, July 24, 2016




SUPPORT AND COSPONSOR H.R. 3411 AND S. 2934 TO FINISH THE JOB AND EXPAND BRADY BACKGROUND CHECKS TO ALL GUN SALES

Policy Fact Sheet

The Brady Campaign, united with the Million Mom March, strongly supports H.R. 3411 and S. 2934, sponsored by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

WHAT H.R. 3411/S. 2934 DOES
• Expands Brady background checks to all gun sales to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people like felons, fugitives and domestic abusers.
• Improves reporting of prohibited purchasers to the National Instant Check System (NICS).
• Requires federal agencies to certify that they have provided appropriate records to NICS.
• Incorporates and expands regulation about people determined to be adjudicated mentally ill.
• Requires gun owners to report their lost or stolen firearm(s) within 48 hours.

PROBLEMS SOLVED BY H.R. 3411 AND S. 2934
• As many as 40 percent of guns sold today in the U.S. are sold through unlicensed sellers, including at gun shows and online where Brady background checks are not legally required. For example, Armslist.com hosts 70,000 gun advertisements at any given time and many of the guns can be purchased without a background check.
• “Straw purchasers” and gun traffickers that supply guns to prohibited purchasers claim they lost possession of the gun, which would not work if a Brady background check was required for unlicensed sales and a lost or stolen gun had to be reported.

WHY OUR CAMPAIGN TO FINISH THE JOB
ON BACKGROUND CHECKS IS SO IMPORTANT
• Background checks keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people like felons, domestic abusers, and the severely mentally ill. According to FBI data, the Brady Law has blocked more than 2.6 million gun sales to prohibited people since it went into effect in 1994.
• Background checks result in fewer gun deaths. According to Everytown for Gun Safety research, instates with expanded background checks, 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with handguns; 46 percent fewer women are shot to death by intimate partners; and there are 48 percent fewer gun suicides.
• More than 90 percent of Americans support expanding Brady background checks.

CONGRESS IS LONG OVERDUE IN TAKING ACTION TO FINISH THE JOB.
                                                                                       

Thursday, July 14, 2016

ARTHUR ADHE COURAGE AWARD 7/14/16

WASHINGTON - Tonight Zenobia Dobson will accept the ESPYs' Arthur Ashe Courage Award on behalf of her son, Zaevion Dobson. Dobson, a high school football star and community role model from Tennessee, died shielding three friends from gunfire in the midst of a random drive by shooting. The gunmen didn't know Zaevion, and he didn't know them. 

Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement.

"We thank the ESPYs for not only honoring Zaevion's life and heroism, but for shining a light on this critical issue. Enough is enough. We owe it to Zaevion and to the 90 Americans who are shot and killed every day to disarm hate and stop this senseless violence. Just being a kid on aThursday evening, Zaevion was put in a position that no teenager should ever have to be in - and he answered with instinctual courage and love. With his whole future ahead of him, he selflessly gave his life for others and became another victim of America's gun violence crisis.

"As a nation we've allowed an epidemic of gun violence, one that kills 90 Americans a day and disproportionately ravages communities of color, to fester unchecked. Our policymakers simply haven’t done enough to keep guns out of dangerous hands and protect the American people.

"If there is any solace to be found in the loss of a life so young and full of promise, it is that Zaevion died a hero so that his friends might live. Like the officers in Dallas, and at the age of 15, he ran toward the sound of gunfire. And so long as politicians fail to act on gun violence, heroes like Zaevion Dobson will continue to be called upon to do the extraordinary things that keep the rest of us safe."

The Arthur Ashe is awarded for the most significant or compelling humanitarian contribution in transcendence of sports in a given year. Dobson was fifteen years old at the time of his 2015 death. He'd have just turned sixteen last month. 

Past recipients of the Arthur Ashe include Caitlyn Jenner, Muhammed Ali, Jimmy Valvano, and passengers of United flight 93.

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Friday, July 8, 2016

Dallas Mass Shooting

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

For Immediate Release

BRADY CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ON DALLAS MASS SHOOTING


Brady President Dan Gross: "We live in a country where people solve problems with bullets instead of words."


WASHINGTON - Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement after eleven police officers were shot in Dallas - at least five were killed.


“Last night at least five police officers were shot and killed and more wounded as they protected the citizens of Dallas, who were gathered in peaceful protest. Our hearts are broken for these officers, their families, and their community. Law enforcement officers make incredible sacrifices to protect this country, and we are grateful for their service. There is no possible justification for this type of violence against officers who were protecting and serving their community. And the fact that people with hate in their hearts used the occasion of a peaceful protest to commit such an act of violence is despicable.


“This latest mass shooting is another example of how guns in the hands of dangerous people tear families and communities apart. Shocking shootings like those in Dallas last night, as well as the daily terror that takes 90 lives every day in this country, are a sure sign that we must do more to protect this nation from gun violence. We live in a country where people solve problems with bullets instead of words, and we have to do better. That means engaging in two important and related conversations – one about how we keep guns away from people with hate in their hearts and another about how gun violence and racism collide to disproportionally terrorize communities of color. We can do better and we must do better to protect every American. And it starts with an honest, thorough discussion and collective determination to find meaningful answers to difficult questions.”


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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Statement on Recent Police Shooting

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

For Immediate Release

BRADY CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR NATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT RECENT POLICE SHOOTINGS
 
Gross: “These men were among the 90 people a day whose lives are taken by a uniquely American problem – gun violence — a problem that disproportionately claims the lives of Americans of color.”
 

WASHINGTON - Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign, issued the following statement after the shooting deaths of two black Americans by police officers.

"This week, more than 900 people were killed by guns in this country. Two of them, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile – both young, black men – were shot and killed by police. They are two Americans who stepped foot outside their homes and will never return to their families. Sterling was a father, and Castile died with his girlfriend by his side in the car, his seat belt still on. Make no mistake about it, this is gun violence. These men were among the 90 people a day whose lives are taken by a uniquely American problem – gun violence — a problem that disproportionately claims the lives of Americans of color. This is a problem that we, as country, have to confront. It's a problem that is deserving of meaningful, honest conversation. And the fact is that we all have a responsibility to seek out and push for answers to the difficult questions that will come."

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Friday, July 1, 2016

Victory! CA Bills Signed in to Law!


Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
For Immediate Release

GROUNDBREAKING VICTORY AS BRADY'S PRIORITY BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW IN CALIFORNIA
 
SACRAMENTO - The 27 California chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence celebrate a hard earned victory today as Governor Jerry Brown signed into law five lifesaving gun reform bills. Brady's California chapters worked with lawmakers from start to finish to guide, lobby, testify for, and carry the bills across the finish line and into law. 
 
In particular, The Brady Campaign worked with Senator Kevin De LeÏŒn to champion SB 1235, to require a background check for ammunition sales. Until today ammunition sales were virtually unregulated in California. There was no recourse to prevent individuals currently prohibited from purchasing firearms from buying ammunition. Now law, SB 1235 will keep bullets out of the hands of violent felons, domestic abusers, and those who are dangerously mentally ill.
 
Gov. Brown also signed into law pieces of legislation to keep high capacity magazines and rapid-fire rifles, like the kind used in the San Bernardino shooting, out of dangerous hands. 
 
Peggy McCrum, President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign, said, "Today is ironclad proof that we are winning this fight for a safer state. We thank Governor Brown for signing into law the lifesaving solutions Brady and so many lawmakers fought so hard for. This is California, and we all agree that felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people just shouldn't be able to stockpile bullets and arm themselves with weapons of war. Today, we all made that dream a reality."    
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The mission of the Brady organization and its Million Mom March is to create a safer America by cutting gun deaths in half by 2025. For more insight on gun violence prevention, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BradyBuzz. 

About Us: The Brady Campaign and Center, united with the Million Mom March, is a national network of more than 90 grassroots chapter affiliates mobilized to prevent gun violence at the community level. The network has played a vital role in expanding Brady background checks in the six states that have passed legislation since the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and produced the largest national protest of gun violence in U.S. history - The Million Mom March, Mother’s Day 2000

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Join Facebook "Life Event" Campaign

JOIN THE WHITE HOUSE FACEBOOK "LIFE EVENT" CAMPAIGN 
TO #END GUN VIOLENCE


Right now, more than 68 members of Congress are staging a sit-in in the U.S. House, refusing to break for recess until a vote is held on the common-sense gun legislation that Americans have been demanding.

At 6 pm ET tonight join the White House, Gun Violence Prevention allies and cultural influencers from across the nation are participating in a digital protest against gun violence. However, unlike normal protests, this event will take place entirely online!

Want in? Join us in creating Facebook "Life Event" update. Unlike a typical Life Event update (announcing a marriage or a new baby, for example), make this an update declaring your intent to reduce gun violence by stating that “enough is enough.”

INSTRUCTIONS (MOBILE):
1. Open Facebook
2. View your profile by tapping the “More” icon on the right-hand side of the bottom navigation bar
3. Scroll down to where you see a prompt to update your Facebook status
4. Beneath that, tap “Life Event”
5. Type into the Search bar at the top of the screen: “Decided that enough is enough.”
6. On the next screen, you’ll select an icon to represent the event. We recommend the circle with a backslash through it.
7. Under “Story,” type in “It’s time to end gun violence now because _________________.” You can then add a line or two about why this issue matters to you, on a personal level.
8. Hit post!
9. You’ve made your voice heard!
INSTRUCTIONS (DESKTOP):
1. Open Facebook
2. Click “Edit Profile” from the navigation bar on the left
3. Click “Life Events”
4. Click “Add a Life Event”
5. Select any category and then select “Create Your Own”
6. Make “Decided that enough is enough” the Title of the event
7. Under “Story,” type in “It’s time to end gun violence now, because _______________.” You can then add a line or two about why this issue matters to you, on a personal level. 
8. Hit “Save!"
9. You’ve made your voice heard!
Thanks for all you do,

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

ACTION ALERT RE ASSEMBLY VOTE!

May 31, 2016

ACTION ALERT from Peggy Crum, CA Chapters President, as follows.  

(Assemblymembers are listed in our Leg Contacts page or you can use the links Peggy provided in her email.)

Dear Chapter Members and Supporters:

Keeping crime guns off our streets is a key part of Brady’s strategy to reduce gun deaths in America and here in California.

Years ago, that meant limiting purchases of handguns to one per month. But today rifles and shotguns, including military-style weapons, are increasingly used in crimes. And it’s time to update the rules to stop criminals from using these weapons to terrorize our streets.

The data tells the whole story. According to the California Department of Justice, half the illegal firearms recovered from people who aren’t allowed to possess them are shotguns and rifles. Besides, why would someone need to buy 50, 75 or 100 rifles at one time?

In the next few days, the California Assembly will vote on important legislation, AB 1674, that will update the law, help stop illegal gun trafficking in our state, and make our communities safer.

It's time to stand up for the safety of our California communities to stop the violence by passing AB 1674.

Here’s how you can help: Call your Assembly Member today and urge them to vote YES on AB 1674 to help stop gun trafficking. This vote could take place any day now, so we have to make our voices heard today.


Friday, May 20, 2016

Victory in the California Senate on a "Package" of Bills

The “California Senate Package” includes the following bills, which were passed by the full Senate on Thursday, May 19, 2016:

SB 880 & AB 1135 (identical bills) – closes bullet button loophole to assault weapons ban

SB 1235 & AB 156 (identical bills) – licensing ammo sellers and ammo background check by crosschecking AFS and APPS

SB 1407 & AB 857 (identical bills) – regulating “ghost guns” – requires serial number, background check and record

SB 894 – requires reporting of lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement

SB 1006 – establishes UC Firearm Violence Research Center

SB 1446 – prohibits possession of large capacity magazines

AB 1176 – calls for special election to makes firearm theft grand theft (punishable as felony) regardless of value, 10 year prohibition for certain firearm misdemeanors

AB 1511 – limits loan of a firearm to immediate family members (spouse or registered domestic partner, or to a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild).

Most bills passed with a comfortable margin (24-15).
These bills will no go on to the Assembly. 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Inspiring and hopeful!

We were inspired by this Ted Talk by Dan Gross,  National President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and wanted to share it with you.

TRIGGER CHANGE:  Please click here.



Monday, February 15, 2016

WELCOME TO THE UPDATED ORANGE COUNTY BRADY CHAPTER BLOG

Saturday, February 27, 2016

We welcome you to our BLOG that is written for the benefit of our friends and supporters of our Orange County Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  Additional information may also be found on our National Brady Campaign Website as well as the California Brady Chapters Website.

Our Chapter believes that knowledge is power and an informed and educated grassroots is a powerful tool for the prevention of gun violence.  We hope that you will find the topics (pages) listed helpful.  This is a work-in-progress BLOG and we will continue to add to it and welcome your comments and suggestions.  

Now is a busy time as our 27 California Brady Chapters together with our state leaders of the California Brady State Council have just decided on our priority legislation.  We respectfully request that you write letters of support and then Fax or email them to the author of the bill.  The supported priority bills are currently listed in today's Bill page.  Please consider asking an organization (faith-based, community, civic, etc.) in which you belong to write a letter of support for our priority bills on the organization's letterhead.  I will try to offer sample support letters for your convenience.  

Later on when floor votes, or sometimes important Committee votes, are coming, our chapter and/or State Council President will send out alerts for you to contact your legislator.  Not sure who represents you?  Please see the page where the Orange County Electeds are listed with contact information.

In peace,
Mary Leigh Blek,
Editor

Monday, January 4, 2016

HISTORIC ACTION BY PRESIDENT OBAMA ON GUN SAFETY POLICY

January 04, 2016

IN THE NEWS


EXPANSION OF BRADY BACKGROUND CHECKS CENTERPIECE

OF PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON GUN VIOLENCE


History will be made in the East Room of the White House tomorrow when President Obama formally announces a series of executive actions to curb gun violence. The most significant of these actions is the clarification of who is “engaged in the business of selling guns” which will result in the expansion of Brady background checks to the thousands of commercial gun sales that happen every day in our nation without them. The announcement comes after the Brady Campaign provided specific policy recommendations to the highest levels of the Administration, including a recent meeting between Brady President Dan Gross and Obama Special Advisor Valerie Jarrett.