Brady Launches Campaign Encouraging States to Invest New Bipartisan Gun Bill Funding into Lifesaving Public Awareness Efforts

New push follows Biden-Harris administration announcement of over $200 million in new federal grants for states to implement gun violence prevention measures under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Washington, D.C., March 9, 2023 – Today, Brady launched a campaign encouraging states to invest newly awarded Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding into gun safety public awareness and education, including efforts to promote safe firearm storage and increase the use of extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws.

Brady launched the initiative during an online event featuring representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Ad Council, and the Hope and Heal Fund. The event highlighted the opportunity states have to save lives by tapping into the power of public education efforts like Brady’s nationally recognized End Family Fire program. Since End Family Fire launched in 2018, its evidence-based, nationally syndicated public service announcements on safe firearm storage have been viewed over 1 billion times, with a particular focus given to gun-owning households, veterans, those at risk of gun suicide, and other impacted communities. Overall, almost half of gun owners who saw the ads changed how or where they keep their firearms to store them in a safer manner.

The new campaign will mobilize Brady’s grassroots network to push states to invest in these lifesaving efforts and provide states support in implementing public education campaigns.

Kris Brown, President of Brady, stated:

“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provides states an historic opportunity to reduce gun violence, and its success will depend on whether state’s use funding to invest in comprehensive gun safety awareness programs. Our End Family Fire public service announcements have been seen by millions of Americans and are changing not only how we store our weapons, but reaffirming that responsible gun ownership saves lives. We’re excited to share the lessons we’ve learned to help states across the country do the same.”

In February 2023, the Department of Justice announced ​​more than $200 million in awards to states as part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). The program, which was authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, will eventually provide $750 million in federal grants to help states implement gun violence intervention programs and practices, including safe firearm storage and ERPO laws. The awards will be distributed to states across America, who will then have flexibility in how to spend the funds.

Watch our webinar, held March 9, 2023, to hear experts summarize the grant opportunity and outline how states can use these funds. Speakers included Christian Heyne, Brady Vice President of Policy and Programs; Colleen Creighton, Director of End Family Fire; Cuco Rodriguez, Chief Equity and Program Officer at Hope and Heal Fund, Ro Patrick, Senior Vice President at the Ad Council; and Michelle M. Garcia, Deputy Director of Programs at Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

###

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.


Back to Press Releases
Related Posts