Washington, D.C., July 5, 2022 - Today, Brady urges state and national leaders to take further action to prevent gun violence, following a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. An assault rifle and high-capacity magazines were used to kill seven people and wound at least 30 others in what was the 313th mass shooting of the year. Highland Park sits just outside of Chicago, where at least 71 people were shot over the holiday weekend, eight fatally. While Illinois has strong gun laws, these shootings are further evidence that elected leaders must do more to end the epidemic of gun violence.
Brady Vice President of Policy Christian Heyne shared:
"The country has once again been rocked by gun violence showing that there is no place immune from this public health epidemic. Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed a string of mass shootings that have traumatized communities and devastated families. But we can’t forget that every single day in the United States, more than 100 people are killed by gun violence and hundreds more injured. Illinois has some of the strongest gun laws in the country and the City of Highland Park has also taken steps to keep its residents safe. However, Illinois is not an island and state and local laws are not sufficient when deadly weapons are so easily carried across state lines. Especially in a nation where the Supreme Court has embraced the gun lobby’s vision of concealed firearms virtually anywhere, we need to do everything possible to protect public safety. While we are encouraged by the recent bipartisan progress made in Congress, this weekend's events highlight the urgent need for more comprehensive solutions to meaningfully address this epidemic. We simply have no time to waste"
Brady Illinois State Lead Delphine Cherry shared:
"I lost two children to gun violence. I never want anyone else to experience that pain. This community had gathered together for what was supposed to be a day of celebration, honoring freedom and independence. And yet, we don’t have the freedom to simply go about our lives without the fear of being gunned down. This needs to stop. We have been asking for solutions for way too long. Not far away from Highland Park, the city of Chicago experienced more than 50 shootings over the July Fourth weekend. This violence is unacceptable. We must demand action from our elected leaders to keep these guns off the streets."
While the state of Illinois has no law restricting assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, the City of Highland Park enacted a local ordinance that restricts the manufacture, sale, and possession of assault weapons and magazines that accept ten or more rounds. In 2015, Brady Legal represented the City of Highland Park as this ordinance was challenged in court. Ultimately, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the city’s ordinance, stating it did not violate the Second Amendment.
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.
By continuing to browse, you consent to the use of cookies on this site.
By clicking OK below, you will be directed to a website operated by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, an independent 501(c)(4) entity.