September 1, 2016
BRADY CAMPAIGN ENDORSES PROPOSITION 63
SACRAMENTO - President of the 28 California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Peggy McCrum, issued the following statement endorsing Proposition 63, the Safety for All initiative.
"Voting 'yes' on Proposition 63 is a no-brainer for any Californian who wants to keep guns out of the hands of violent felons and domestic abusers. Plain and simple, the policies contained in Prop. 63 are going to save lives. Keeping guns away from dangerous people is something we all can, and should, get behind. That's why Brady is all-in to help ensure victory at the ballot box in November. The California Chapters of the Brady Campaign have seen historic success this year, helping usher in seven new gun reform laws. And we are committed to see this important initiative through as well. Californians are ready for this.”
Proposition 63 will keep guns out of dangerous hands by providing a clear process for the timely relinquishment of firearms by prohibited persons. Proposition 63 will also help identify and prosecute straw buyers and cut down on illegal gun trafficking by requiring the reporting of lost and stolen guns. We know gun traffickers use the excuse that their guns were lost or stolen when crime guns are traced back to them.
Proposition 63 will build upon the significant legislation already signed into law this year. Led by the California chapters of the Brady Campaign and key allies in the state Senate and Assembly, seven public safety measures have been enacted this session. It's the greatest number of gun violence prevention bills signed into California law in more than 25 years. Among them are bold new laws requiring background checks for ammunition purchasers and licensing of ammunition vendors. Important legislation was also passed to strengthen California’s laws keeping high capacity ammunition magazines and weapons of war, like the guns used in the San Bernardino shooting, out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and those who are dangerously mentally ill. Additionally, a law was enacted to make sure that people who make or assemble their own guns pass a background check.
The California chapters of the Brady Campaign played a vital role in fighting for each one of the new laws, working side-by-side with lawmakers the entire way and driving tens of thousands of emails and calls into the offices of lawmakers.
You did it! On Friday, the legislature passed and Gov. Brown signed into law strong reforms to keep ammunition and guns, including military-style 'weapons of war,' out of dangerous hands. Your calls and emails throughout this legislative session put enormous pressure on California legislators to do the right thing. And, thanks to you and our 27 California Brady chapters, our state is even safer. Gov. Brown signed into law a total of six gun bills supported and pushed by our California Brady Chapters, including SB 1235 by Senator Kevin De Leόn to require background checks for ammunition sales. Ammunition sales were virtually unregulated in California but this new law will keep bullets out of the hands of violent felons, domestic abusers, and those who are dangerously mentally ill.
It gets even better! Gov. Brown also signed into law pieces of legislation to ensure that high capacity ammunition magazines and rapid-fire rifles, like the kind used in the San Bernardino shooting, don’t wind up in the hands of dangerous people. We are winning and we are saving lives -- AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR ADVOCACY. We thank Gov. Brown for signing into law the lifesaving solutions Brady and so many lawmakers fought so hard for. We all agree that felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people just shouldn't be able to stockpile bullets and arm themselves with weapons of war. Thank you for your help. Together we will continue to save lives! Sincerely, Peggy McCrum |
2016 California Bills
See a list of state bills the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence support.
New Firearms Restraining Order Law Can Save Lives
On January 1, 2016, an important gun law went into effect in California. This new law establishes a process to allow law enforcement and immediate family members to petition the court to obtain a Firearms Restraining Order when a person is at risk of injury to self or others by having a firearm. The order would temporarily prohibit the purchase or possession of firearms while the order is in effect. Read more & Download Fact Sheet
California’s Gun Laws are Saving Lives
California has enacted the strongest firearm laws in the nation and consistently ranks #1 on the Brady Campaign’s annual state scorecard. California has done the best job in the country adopting laws designed to make it harder for criminals and other dangerous people to access dangerous weapons. Among other benefits, these laws have: helped combat illegal firearms trafficking, reduced firearm homicides and suicides, and enabled law enforcement to seize weapons from prohibited persons. Most recently, California passed the Gun Violence Restraining Order law that will allow immediate family members or law enforcement to petition a court to remove firearms from someone temporarily if they believe there is a possible risk of injury or death.
However, more must be done at both the state and federal levels to make our communities safer. Over 6,000 people are shot in California each year, nearly half of them die. In the U.S., firearm laws remain the weakest of all industrialized nations. Weak federal firearm laws undermine California’s efforts to reduce its gun violence. In spite of this, California’s gun laws have proved effective in saving lives. Read more
Peggy McCrum Statement on San Bernardino Shooting
Nick and Amanda Wilcox honored by Brady Campaign at National Summit
Washington - During the organization’s annual National Summit, Brady Campaign President Dan Gross recognized Nevada County activists Nick and Amanda Wilcox for their decade of tireless work fighting gun violence in California. Read the full press release.
Safer Schools Secured in California as Governor Jerry Brown Signs SB 707 In To Law
“Governor Brown made the right call today in signing SB 707,” said Peggy McCrum, President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “This legislation has been a priority for us and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition.” Read the full press release and read our success story.
Los Angeles City Attorney receives "Excellence in Leadership Award" by the 26 chapters of the California Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
CA Brady Campaign Applauds CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson for Bold Firearms Safe Storage Letter
SACRAMENTO - On May 13, 2015, California Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tom Torlakson sent a letter to all California school districts, charter schools, and private school coordinators urging the administrators to embark on an education campaign for the safe storage of any firearm(s) in the home. The California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence applaud SPI Torlakson and the California Department of Education (CDE) for this effort to prevent school shootings by educating parents and guardians about California’s child access prevention laws. Read the full press release.
California Chapters Elect a new State Council President
San Francisco, Calif. – Longtime gun violence prevention advocate and local chapter leader Peggy McCrum, of Long Beach, has been elected the new President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Ms. McCrum was elected by the 25 California Chapters of the Brady Campaign during its 12th annual conference where gun violence prevention leaders from around the state gathered to celebrate legislative successes and strategize for the upcoming year. The conference is the largest gathering of the gun violence prevention leaders in the state. Read the full press release.
Assembly Member Nancy Skinner Receives “Excellence in Leadership” Award
The prestigious honor recognizes Assembly Member Skinner’s level of commitment and leadership in passing gun violence prevention reforms in the state. Read the full press release.
Victory! AB 1014 has been signed into law
Gov. Brown Signs New Gun Violence Restraining Order in Wake of Isla Vista Shooting: Read the Press Release
CA Schools Can Do More to Protect Students from Gun Violence!
Attention: Teachers, Parents, PTA, Principals, and School Superintendents!
The California Brady Campaign Chapters have launched a Safe Storage Saves Lives!
SCHOOL OFFICIALS can help protect students from accidental and/or intentional shootings by reminding gun-owning parents they have a responsibility to safely store their firearms. There have been many instances of children bringing guns to school in California. Often the child has obtained the weapon from his/her home. It is the responsibility of school officials and parents to do everything possible to keep children safe at school. And, by law, it is the responsibility of parents to make sure their firearms are safely and securely stored. Read the full Safe Storage Saves Lives!
Torlakson English Memo
Torlakson Spanish Memo
Torlakson: Safe Storage and Firearms
About CA Chapters - A message from our State President
California Brady Campaign Chapters educate and mobilize their communities to advocate for sensible responsible gun laws, regulations, and public policies at the local, state, and national levels.
We invite you to join us. You may want to become a member of a local Chapter, form a Chapter in your own community, be part of our email information network, or make a donation to the Brady Campaign. Whatever contribution you wish to make, your participation is welcome. Please contact us. We will direct you to members of our organization working in your own area.
Together, let's make the coming years a time when gun violence decreases dramatically and our communities in California become healthier and safer.
You may also click here to view a video brochure of stories that honor loved ones killed by gun violence. Or click here to download a .pdf brochure of stories, funded by a grant from The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). Created in 1992 as a private, independent foundation, TCWF's mission is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.
Best Regards,
Peggy McCrum
President, California Brady Campaign Chapters
Brady Campaign Applauds California’s Microstamping Law
(Washington, DC)-- After years of countless delays, the cutting-edge ‘Microstamping’ law in California has recently gone into effect. The law requires all new semi-automatic handguns to come equipped with technology that stamps each bullet casing with intentional markings that indicate the make, model and serial number of the firearm. The legislation, authored by former Assembly Member Mike Feuer, was signed into law in 2007 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but the implementation was delayed due to patent issues over the years. The Brady Campaign and its California Chapters were instrumental in securing passage of the legislation and the bill was their top priority in 2007. The legislation was also supported by 65 police chiefs and sheriffs throughout the state... Read More
Protect Our California Veterans From Suicide
A GUN + Depressed Veteran can = Suicide
According to the Secretary for California’s Department of Veteran’s Affairs, 11% of active duty military entered the service from California. Therefore, we can expect an influx of recently discharged veterans to return to California in the next few years.
In a 2009 study conducted at Stanford University, the authors estimated that about 35 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, or about 700,000, will be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Further, according to a report of the Veterans Administration, a diagnosis of PTSD is highly related to suicide among veterans. Since veterans have experience with guns and usually own guns, suicide with guns is highly likely. It is, therefore, paramount that educational programs be launched to inform the public and veterans groups of this relationship in order to reduce the incidence of suicide with guns among veterans. Read More
California Brady Chapters and Million Mom March 15 Year Anniversary Backgrounder
CONTACT CA CHAPTERS
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
California Brady Chapter volunteers are moms, dads, sons and daughters, grandmothers and grandfathers, friends and neighbors. They are all ages and from all walks of life. They are united in their commitment to stop the carnage and devastation from gun violence and to make their communities safe for children.
Whether you're interested in volunteering a couple of times a year or a couple of times a week, there's a place for you in the California Brady Campaign Chapters!
If you have general questions, please email Brady's chapter coordinator at cachapters [at] bradymail [dot] org