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It feels like every day there is a new headline about the erosion of our rights, the weakening of our democracy, or more communities shattered by mass gun violence events. And then there's the ongoing daily gun violence that does not even make the evening news. It's a lot for anyone to live through and mourn.
July is also a difficult month for me personally (TW: gun violence). Last week marked 30 years since my brother Junior took his own life with a gun after a 5 year battle with schizophrenia. It left my family suffering in silence for years, forced into a club no one wants to join. Too many families like mine know the pain of a loved one stolen by gun violence. Today, it brings some comfort to know that channeling my pain into purpose has contributed to furthering gun safety.
After nearly 30 years of federal inaction, last week President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law. On Monday, survivors and activists in the gun violence prevention community were at the White House celebrating this historic win - the culmination of years of advocacy fighting for safer communities.
Here's what the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes:
- Funds incentives for states to implement red flag laws, which allows courts to temporarily take guns away from people in crisis.
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It closes the dating partner loophole, making it illegal for those convicted of assaulting their romantic partners to own a gun.
- Enhances background checks for buyers under 21 years old.
- Invests $11 billion in our mental healthcare system.
- Invests $2 billion in community violence intervention programs.
In MORE great news, yesterday afternoon the Senate confirmed Steve Dettelbach as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This confirmation is huge because the ATF has been without a confirmed director for nearly a decade. Having a confirmed ATF Director will help provide direction and enforce our gun safety laws.
Finally, yesterday in California (already the leader of strong Gun Safety Legislation nationwide), Governor Newsom signed 3 more bills holding the gun lobby accountable, adding restrictions to ghost guns, and limiting firearm advertisements to children. This is why State-seats (like the one I’m running for) can make a difference.
Activists were told it couldn’t be done over and over. But we know that when we hear "no," we will keep going anyway. As my friend Brenda Moss said, "we won't stop until we win."
And while these achievements are a balm to the soul, we know we're not done working for a safer and more just America - there is still A LOT more work to do. While it’s understandable to fall into despair, hopelessness, cynicism, we must keep going. We can't give up the fight and we must trust that the change we seek will come.
Because we won't stop until we win. Help us keep going – donate or volunteer below!
In solidarity,
Mia
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