Ghost guns, Sandy Hook, & we're hiring!

Tell Congress to act Big news, {NAME}. This week, Brady Legal filed the nation's first civil lawsuits against the “ghost gun” industry. We're demanding justice on behalf of victims and survivors of the horrific shooting massacre in Rancho Tehama in Northern California. In 2017, a gunman who was legally barred from buying or owning firearms was able to obtain two AR-15-style ghost guns. He used these hand-built ghost guns — which are available to purchase without a background check — during a rampage where he killed five people and injured 18 others across eight crime scenes, including an elementary school. You'll read about how we're taking action against the ghost gun industry more in this newsletter, but first, we need your help to make sure Congress takes action on this urgent issue. Ghost guns are unregulated and untraceable firearms, and the sales of the kits to make ghost guns have surged during the pandemic. They’re used by prohibited buyers — like the Rancho Tehama gunman — to skirt background checks at an increasingly alarming rate. In fact, in the last year, a 16-year-old obtained a ghost gun and perpetrated a school shooting, killing two fellow students and injuring three others. Congress has the power to regulate ghost guns and save lives – but right now, the NRA will stop at nothing to prevent any common-sense, bipartisan gun safety laws from being passed. [That’s why we need top supporters like you to speak out on this critical issue now. Can you take our survey on ghost guns to let Congress know they must act immediately?]( Should Congress take action on untraceable ghost guns? 11:59 p.m. deadline [YES]( [NO]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Join Us! Data-Driven Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence The Biden-Harris administration has the opportunity to meaningfully address gun suicide unlike any administration before. That’s why Brady is stepping up to host a “First 100 Days” series covering the range of evidence-based solutions the Biden-Harris administration can immediately take to save lives. [Join Brady for the first virtual event in our series, "Data-Driven Solutions to Prevent Gun Suicide," on Wednesday, December 16, at 3 p.m. ET.]( [RSVP ON FACEBOOK]( [LEARN ABOUT THE SERIES]( We're Hiring — Apply to Join One of the Nation's Oldest and Boldest Gun Violence Prevention Organizations! We're looking for dedicated, experienced applicants to join our legal, organizing, policy, and communications departments. [Learn more about our new positions and apply today!]( Brady Legal Sues Ghost Gun Industry in Landmark Case At the height of the pandemic, reports found that ghost guns were flying off the shelves. [Ghost guns are unregulated firearms]( that anyone — including minors and prohibited purchasers — can buy and build in their own home without a Brady Background Check. The proliferation of ghost guns has led to an increase in the use of ghost guns in crimes exponentially, including the senseless murders of police officers and children. This week, Brady Legal took action on ghost guns, introducing the nation’s first civil lawsuits on behalf of survivors and victims of gun violence against the ghost gun industry. We’re alleging that the ghost gun industry has chosen to utilize a business that exploits [online loopholes that enable prohibited purchasers]( to acquire weapons without a Brady Background Check. In doing so, we allege that the [2017 Rancho Tehama gunman]( who was barred from purchasing or possessing a firearm, was able to obtain two AR-15-style ghost guns. [Ghost guns have no place in our communities, and Brady Legal looks forward to securing justice for the families harmed by them.]( [READ MORE]( Recap: Brady and the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation Host the 8th Annual Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence Since 2013, the [Newtown Action Alliance]( has worked with a coalition of gun violence prevention organizations, including Brady, to host a national vigil to honor all victims and survivors of gun violence around the December 14 anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting. This year, Brady teamed up with Newtown to host the 8th annual vigil virtually. We invited families and survivors impacted by gun violence to submit photos of their loved ones. [Help us #HonorWithAction and watch our live-streamed event.]( [WATCH NOW]( December 14, marks eight years since the Sandy Hook massacre, where a gunman shot and killed 26 people, including six educators and 20 children between the ages of 6 and 7 years old. [#HonorWithAction and share this image on Facebook.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Calling ALL Youth Activists: Be the "First to Know" When Team ENOUGH Lobbying Collective Applications Open! [Team ENOUGH]( our youth-led initiative, runs the only national,[youth-led lobbying group for common-sense gun reform](. In 2020, our members have virtually met with lawmakers to advocate for gun safety legislation across the country. With a new legislative session approaching in 2021, we’re looking for new members (high school to college-aged) to join our Team ENOUGH Lobbying Collectives in Washington, D.C., California, and Florida! [Sign up now to be alerted when applications open on Wednesday, December 16, or share with a young person you know.]( [BE THE FIRST TO KNOW]( [SHARE ON FACEBOOK]( Share with a young person you know on Facebook. 🎧 Episode 105: 40 Years On John Lennon, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and Gun Violence Forty years ago this week, John Lennon was shot and killed — and something called an "extreme risk law" could have prevented his murderer from getting a gun. Listen to our moving conversation with Sen. Karl Rhoads of Hawaii, NYC Film Director Michael Epstein, and Founder and Executive Director of Safer Country Paul Friedman. [LISTEN TO OUR NEW EPISODE NOW]( [The Coronavirus Pandemic is Raging. But So is Another Deadly Public Health Crisis in Milwaukee: Gun Violence]( Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [Families of Shooting Victims Sue Sellers of ‘Ghost Guns’]( Associated Press [March For Our Lives is Asking Biden to Create A Cabinet Position For Gun Reform]( Fast Company [The Time Bomb Under President-elect Biden's Doormat]( The Hill Brady Legal’s work is made possible by the [Brady Legal Alliance]( a strong network of pro-bono legal talent to counter the gun industry's well-financed efforts. In our new landmark legal cause against the ghost gun industry, we’re working with Brady Legal Alliance partners Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe. To date, the Brady Legal Alliance has won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts and successfully pushed gun companies to adopt responsible, safer business practices. [Learn more about Brady Legal and the Brady Legal Alliance by signing up for our monthly legal newsletter]( who were alive then clearly remember the news of John Lennon’s death. While it was heartbreaking to lose his voice and artistry, it is just as devastating to know that common-sense laws like an extreme risk protection order law could possibly have prevented his death. We lost a musician and a cultural icon, while those who loved him lost a husband, father, and friend, an experience that millions of others have felt in the past 40 years. Since his murder, an estimated 1,436,000 people have died from gun violence in the United States. We must continue to work to prevent gun violence in all of its forms for John Lennon and for all of these victims so that we can create a country living in peace, just as he wanted.” —[Brady President Kris Brown]( [FOLLOW KRIS ON TWITTER]( Our work is made possible by grassroots donors like you. Thank you for being a Brady supporter and joining us in the fight to prevent gun violence. [DONATE NOW]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for supporting the Brady Campaign. The Brady Campaign is a 501c(4) and donations to the Brady Campaign are not eligible for a tax deduction. We rely on the generosity of donors like you to fund our work to prevent gun violence and create a safer America. [Follow us on Facebook]( [Follow us on Twitter]( [Follow us on Instagram]( Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 840 First Street, NE Suite 400 Washington, DC 20002 United States [DONATE]( Emails are crucial for communicating with top members of the Brady Campaign team. To put an end to the gun violence epidemic, we need you on board every step of the way. 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