Congressional Recess Action Toolkit

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August 5, 2024 - September 8, 2024

Demand Congress Take Action to End Gun Violence!

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Lawmakers have introduced several life-saving gun violence prevention bills in the 118th Congress, yet too many of our elected leaders continue to play politics with our lives and stand in the way of progress. We need our lawmakers to prioritize public safety, take up these bills, and pass gun violence prevention legislation with the urgency it deserves.

Two evidence-based policies that can save lives are creating a standardized Gun Dealer Code of Conduct to ensure that firearms are sold responsibly and ending special legal protections for the gun industry by repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). This congressional recess, we are asking grassroots supporters and advocates like you to reach out to your members of Congress and demand that upon returning to Washington, D.C., they work to pass these critical bills.

Before reaching out to your members of Congress, please check to see where they stand on these issues by using the link below.

Find Your Members of Congress

Email Your Members of Congress and Urge Them to Take Action!

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    Firearms Retailer Code of Conduct

    We’re calling on Congress to pass the Firearms Retailer Code of Conduct Act of 2023 (H.R. 27538), life-saving legislation that would establish minimum safety requirements for gun dealers and their employees to stop the diversion of firearms into the illegal market. 

    Take Action
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    Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act

    We’re calling on Congress to pass the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act (H.R. 2814), which would remove these unfair protections, allowing victims and survivors of gun violence to seek civil justice to obtain just compensation and financial relief.

    Take Action

HERE ARE THE TOP FOUR WAYS YOU CAN TAKE ACTION WHEN YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE AT HOME FOR CONGRESSIONAL RECESS.

Schedule a meeting with your representative/senators (or their staff) at one of their state or district offices. 

Come prepared knowing their positions, their past votes, and have talking points supporting what you are urging them to do (vote for gun violence prevention legislation, be a co-sponsor, call on leadership to bring the bills up for a vote, etc). Read our tips for meeting with your member.

Urge your representative/senators to host a town hall (or attend one they are hosting).

Call their office, ask if they are hosting a town hall, and attend with your questions (and phone ready to record). If they say they are not having one, urge them to by calling, posting on social media, and writing letters to the editor about how you want your representative or senators to host town halls to hear from constituents. 

If none of that works, host one yourself — make a Facebook event, share it on social media, and with the local news; invite your representative/senators, but if they do not attend, use it as an opportunity to register voters and talk about the importance of having a Congress that reflects the will of the people. It is important to have a backup plan and speakers ready.

Find your representative/senators at local events.

If you know there is a parade or community-wide event that your lawmakers usually attend, then go with a plan to find them and ask questions or hold up signs as they go past. Get a group together and post all of your actions on social media.

Are you already planning a local event? Invite your representative/senators!

It could be a rally, a vigil, a press conference, a panel, etc.

Share our sample social media posts and be sure to tag your members of Congress and @Bradybuzz on X (formally known as Twitter).

  • The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act and the Firearms Retailer Code of Conduct Act are crucial for accountability and safety. Urge Congress to support these life-saving bills! #EndGunViolence https://www.bradyunited.org/august-recess
  • Congress must pass legislation to protect our communities from gun violence! Removing unfair protections for the gun industry and ensuring gun dealers act responsibly can save lives. Act now to #EndGunViolence! https://www.bradyunited.org/august-recess
  • H.R. 4184 would remove unfair protections for the gun industry by repealing PLCAA, and H.R. 2753 would ensure gun dealers act responsibly. Both are vital for reducing gun violence. Act now! https://www.bradyunited.org/august-recess
  • Ending PLCAA's unjust protections for the gun industry with H.R. 4184 and ensuring gun dealer’s adhere to responsible business practices with H.R. 2753 can help reduce gun violence. Urge Congress to act now to #EndGunViolence! https://www.bradyunited.org/august-recess

IT TAKES ALL OF US. Act now.

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