Brady Joins Survivors and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates for Biden White House Celebration of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the first major gun violence prevention bill to become law in nearly 30 years, or since the Brady Bill

Washington, D.C., July 11, 2022 - Today, Brady joins survivors, leaders, and advocates in the movement to prevent gun violence at the White House for a celebration in honor of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. President Biden signed the bill, making it the first comprehensive gun violence prevention law in nearly 30 years.

Brady President Kris Brown shared:

“I thank President Biden for his invitation to the White House and for his commitment to preventing gun violence in America. As we celebrate this historic act of bipartisanship, I’m thinking of Jim and Sarah Brady, who took on the NRA to win the passage of the 1994 Brady Bill. Until the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Brady Bill was the last major gun legislation signed into law. Jim and Sarah were Republicans, they were gun owners, and they knew that sensible gun laws aren’t about politics, but about saving lives. Today, we thank all of those who have followed in their footsteps, putting partisanship aside to protect public safety. That includes President Biden, who helped Jim and Sarah shepherd the Brady Bill through Congress nearly 30 years ago and who now helms the strongest gun violence prevention White House in U.S. history.
This victory belongs to all of the survivors, advocates, and lawmakers who have worked tirelessly for decades to pass common-sense gun violence prevention legislation, even when others said it wasn’t possible. But we cannot stop here. Congress must ensure this is just the first step in meaningful action to end America’s gun violence epidemic.”

Gun Violence Survivor and Brady Vice President of Policy Christian Heyne shared:

“Since my mom was shot and killed 17 years ago, I have been fighting for change like this. And it could not come soon enough. Gun violence is a national emergency that kills more than 40,000 people each year. It has tragically become the leading cause of death of children in America. But let me be clear, we do not have to live like this. This new law treats our nation’s gun violence crisis as the multifaceted public health epidemic that it is. And that is exactly how we will save lives — through comprehensive solutions that include community investment and evidence-based policies. Now, we need to keep up the momentum to demand a safer country with sensible gun laws. I urge Americans everywhere to join me in ensuring the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the starting point of legislative change to end America’s gun violence epidemic.”

About the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act addresses the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” a current gap in federal law that permits some individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders or who are convicted of domestic violence abuses to legally purchase or possess a firearm. The legislation likewise creates new requirements for federal firearm licensee designation, and a mechanism to ensure that individuals who exhibited signs of dangerousness as minors are appropriately evaluated when seeking to purchase a firearm.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act also creates new federal standards for straw purchases and trafficking firearms, including maximum penalty standards that Brady does not support and warns could create unintended harm, particularly against Black and Brown communities. Finally, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes new funds available to states to support extreme risk protection laws and crisis prevention programs, and funds for both mental health resources and school safety programs.

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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 common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.


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