In January 2020 in Iowa, Brady, the NAACP, and the End Citizens United Action Fund hosted “We the People 2020: Protecting Our Democracy a Decade After Citizens United.” We invited 13 Democratic presidential candidates. In total, six candidates answered the challenge, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); entrepreneur Andrew Yang; former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); former Maryland Representative John Delaney; and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

Marking ten years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, we discussed candidates’ plans to end the dominance of dark money in politics, protect the right to vote, ensure fair courts, and create a democracy that works for all of us. We at Brady were thrilled to partner with and discuss these issues with the organizations and candidates present, as the history of gun violence shows how tremendously negative a role dark money -- particularly NRA dark money -- has played in blocking the expansion of the Brady Background Check System, despite the support of more than 90% of Americans...Read more

2020 has been an election year like no other. Not only did it occur against the backdrop of the horrific COVID-19 pandemic, but the stakes for our country were high as voters went to the polls to finally elect a president who would embrace gun violence prevention as a critical public health issue, in addition to candidates down the ballot excited to enact life-saving laws.

The Brady Campaign endorsed nearly 200 gun violence prevention champions for office: 55 in state and local races, 143 in congressional contests, and one for the presidency. Brady was proud to endorse 57 women, 48 candidates of color, 19 veterans, and eight LGBTQIA identifying persons for Congress.

Even with the unjust appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, a presidential administration that promotes armed voter intimidation, and a country reeling from dual epidemics of Covid-19 and gun violence, we are proud to have seen the victories of 100 candidates in the House of Representatives, 11 in the Senate, and 21 in state races, with more than 30 races still to be determined...Read more

It is time to end America’s gun violence epidemic.

The 2020 election was a long and taxing process that included a deadly pandemic, threats of armed intimidation, and efforts to suppress votes. In spite of all of this, Brady and allies for gun violence prevention remained vigilant, emphasizing a need to trust the process and count every vote.

We counted — and the people have spoken. They have had enough thoughts and prayers; they want a president who will work to enact real, life-saving change.

We have that leader in not only President-elect Joe Biden but Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as well, both of whom will work to restore decency to the White House and build on the people-first agenda that their campaign championed...Read more

The American people have been waiting far too long for federal action to prevent gun violence. While more than 90% of the American people support common-sense policies like universal Brady Background Checks on gun sales, we have seen years of inaction on bipartisan bills that could save lives.

While Brady believes that congressional action to keep our country safe is a necessary step and priority, it is also important to recognize the way in which the gun lobby and their friends in Congress have blocked meaningful action. If that path continues to be obstructed, it is vital to explore all options of securing the change we so desperately need. In the absence of congressional action, our other branches of government must step up to the challenge and prioritize public safety. This includes the executive branch.

Gun violence in the United States is a public health epidemic. Every single day, 300 people are shot and more than 100 die by gunfire. In such a case, it is well within the power of the President of the United States to take immediate action against gun violence via executive action...Read more