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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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 Leόn 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