Empowering the creative community in the movement to end gun violence
We help the creative community harness their power as culture-makers to create a safer America free of gun violence through simple, creative, and powerful actions that foster positive behavior change.
Guns are prominently featured in television, art, music, and movies across the globe, but only America has a gun violence epidemic. In America, we have more guns than people. Every year, over 40,000 people are shot and killed. Our nation’s gun violence crisis impacts nearly every fabric of American life. And while we must address the root of this issue — our nation’s weak gun laws — we can also drive life-saving social change. The creative community can play a powerful role in leading that change
Now is the time to act. Following the tragic mass shooting at Uvalde Elementary School, about 300 writers, directors, and producers — including Emmy and Academy Award winners — signed our open letter supporting positive culture change by modeling firearm safety on screen. A year later in April 2023, we organized about two dozen Hollywood actors, directors, and showrunners to join a roundtable discussion at the White House on the role the TV/film industry can play in combating the gun violence epidemic. We'll be following up with systematic practices and recommendations for the industry.
Nearly 200 Hollywood producers, directors and writers — including Shonda Rhimes, Jimmy Kimmel and Mark Ruffalo — are pledging to revisit the use of guns in their storytelling.
— NPR (@NPR) June 13, 2022
They also say they'll incorporate gun safety best practices into their scripts.https://t.co/yhvRXbUYIM
Our Theory of Change
America’s culture-makers — artists, musicians, writers, directors, producers, actors, and studio professionals — have a deep influence in how we think of ourselves, what we value, and how we act. We can empower our nation’s artists and storytellers to model norms and visions that guide us to a safer America free of gun violence.
“As America’s storytellers, our goal is primarily to entertain, but we also acknowledge that stories have the power to effect change. Cultural attitudes toward smoking, drunk driving, and seatbelts have all evolved due in large part to movies’ and TV’s influence. It’s time to take on gun safety."
Read the open letter
Hollywood has modeled positive culture change before: seatbelt use, smoking, teen pregnancy, and marriage equality. Time to model gun safety.https://t.co/2YUnqUBswU
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) June 13, 2022
Brady is United Against Gun Violence
Brady is one of the oldest and boldest gun violence prevention organizations in America. We know that preventing gun violence isn’t about politics; it’s about saving lives.
We continue the legacy of Jim and Sarah Brady, the trailblazing gun violence prevention advocates whose name we bear. In 1981, Jim was just two months into his dream role as White House Press Secretary when he was shot in the head when a gunman tried to assassinate President Reagan. Jim was partially paralyzed for life. But not even a bullet to the head could stop him. Jim and his wife, Sarah, spent the rest of their lives fighting to make our country a safer place. They lobbied Congress on both sides of the aisle to pass the landmark, bipartisan Brady Bill — which continues to save lives today.
Today, we continue Jim and Sarah Brady’s legacy by uniting Americans from coast to coast, young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color, to find common ground in common-sense solutions to gun violence.
Artists and Entertainers We’ve Worked With
Activist and actors @PiperPerabo and @handlebrody sat down with @thewrap to discuss their work with @BradyCenter and the #ShowYourSafety initiative. https://t.co/OPgssG8609
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) April 26, 2023
At the White House today with @KrisB_Brown and @bradybuzz to talk about how the film and tv can support safe storage of guns.
— Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) April 26, 2023
4.6 Million American Kids Live in Homes With Unlocked, Loaded Guns.
Let’s normalize safe storage. #ShowYourSafety 🧡 pic.twitter.com/aOkasHwjGO
The seed for #TheConners doing an episode on gun violence was planted by a teacher Lecy Goranson met. https://t.co/ymlKZyWovK
— TV Insider (@TVInsider) March 2, 2022
If you have a gun at home, store it unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition and no matter what, make sure you always ask about how guns are stored in other homes. You could save a life. Learn more at https://t.co/n1FjJOmgeK @endfamilyfire pic.twitter.com/GwHsuX7HAQ
— shondaland tv (@shondaland) January 31, 2020
Through TV & Film we can normalize responsible gun owners storing their guns unloaded and locked.
— Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) April 26, 2023
Just like buckling up a seat belt or designated driver, it’s public safety.#ShowYourSafety @TheWrap https://t.co/DncsdVWjfp
Mass shootings, which may appear unrelated to domestic violence on the surface, are often committed by those with a history of domestic violence. For more information about safe storage of firearms, visit https://t.co/mPAYAhbqkN.
— The Good Doctor (@GoodDoctorABC) October 4, 2022
Listen: @Griz and @matisyahu address gun violence on "A New Day" https://t.co/SjUJT6VAT7 pic.twitter.com/CUGOGe8jFI
— billboard (@billboard) February 15, 2019