Brady Testifies at House Hearing on Gun Manufacturers’ Role in America’s Gun Violence Epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 27, 2022 — Brady Senior Counsel and Director of Racial Justice Kelly Sampson testified this week at a House congressional oversight committee hearing on the firearm industry’s role in America’s gun violence epidemic.

The hearing, chaired by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), was held in the wake of mass shootings in Uvalde, TX, Buffalo, NY, and Highland Park, IL, and was the first time since 2010 that gun manufacturers testified before Congress.

The hearing, held by the House Oversight Committee, continued action from the House Judiciary Committee who recently marked up bills headed to the House floor to hold manufacturers accountable and address gun violence — H.R. 2814 (Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act), H.R. 1808 (Assault Weapons Ban of 2021), and H.R. 4118 (Break the Cycle of Violence Act).

Brady Senior Counsel and Director of Racial Justice Kelly Sampson stated:

“American gun violence is a public problem that requires public policy solutions, including a comprehensive system of firearm regulations. Gun violence in America takes many forms; however, the thread that links them – and differentiates the United States from other countries – is unfettered access to firearms. As a result of irresponsible business practices, alarmist marketing, and lax enforcement, manufacturers have flooded communities and homes with firearms, thereby playing a role in gun violence. Holding gun manufacturers accountable for their negligent actions is completely consistent with the Second Amendment.”

You can read Sampson’s full testimony here, and can view a recording of the hearing on YouTube and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform website.

Reforming the Gun Industry

For more than 30 years, Brady’s legal team has been one of the nation’s only law groups fighting on behalf of victims, survivors, and communities to prevent gun deaths and injuries.

• Brady Legal has brought or assisted in more than 250 lawsuits in over 40 states. Find a list of all the legal actions Brady has taken against gun manufacturers here.

• Brady Legal is currently representing victims in a lawsuit against Century Arms — the gun manufacturer of the weapon used in the July 28, 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting.

Relationship Between Gun Manufacturers and Crime Guns

The firearms industry – manufacturers, dealers, and distributors – plays a role in facilitating gun violence through easy access to firearms and irresponsible business practices. This is amplified by negligent regulations and a lack of transparency, accountability, and oversight of the gun industry.