On Wednesday, April 16, the first anniversary of the terrible tragedy that took 32 innocent lives at Virginia Tech, local citizens in more than 50 cities and towns across America will participate in events to remember that tragedy — as well as all victims and survivors of gun violence — and call on Congress to act to strengthen the Brady background check system by closing the gun show loophole.

Through a variety of activities, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence with its Million Mom March Chapters, as well as numerous community allies and activists, will remember the 100,000 people who are killed or injured every year in America with firearms, as well as their families and loved ones.

The bulk of the April 16th activities will be local "lie-ins" where mothers and fathers, young and old, gun violence victims, college students and other citizens lie down in groups of 32 to recall the 32 innocent victims murdered at Virginia Tech. They'll remain lying for just a few short minutes to highlight the short length of time it takes to purchase a gun in the United States.

The Brady Campaign advocates for common sense laws, like closing the gun show loophole, to restrict access to guns by dangerous people because allowing convicted felons and domestic abusers to buy guns at gun shows from unlicensed sellers without a Brady criminal background check threatens the safety of our families and communities.

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