My son was shot and killed at UC Santa Barbara in May of this year.

Why did Chris die? He died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. I said it the day after my son was murdered, and sadly it’s still true today.

What has changed is that millions of Americans like you have stepped up to demand more of our country and its elected officials: Not. One. More.

And it’s working. Here in California, with the help of Everytown, we passed a law that will temporarily suspend somebody’s access to guns if they’re found to be a threat to themselves or others — somebody like the man who killed my son. Everytown can take winning strategies like this all across the country, but only with your support.

I’m asking you to join me in supporting Everytown with a year-end gift of $5 or more. With your support, we can save lives. Please join this fight before Wednesday’s end-of-year deadline.

Everytown is doing something no one else has ever done before. I’ve seen the passion that powers this movement up close. I’ve shared hugs and tears with others whose lives have been turned upside down by gun violence.

Everytown has given me a chance to share Chris’s story and a platform from which I can work so that fewer parents have to experience this pain.

Our work is fueled by gun violence survivors, moms, dads, and concerned citizens — and it’s backed by cutting edge research and policy analysis. Because of this movement, the NRA is losing its grip on our country’s state houses.

Help us move forward in 2015. Lives depend on it. I’m asking you to show your support with a year-end donation of $5 or more right now — before the Wednesday night deadline:

https://donate.everytown.org/donate/2015-NOM-donate6

As the father of a young person killed with a gun, I know that it’s not enough to just want change. We must work hard and keep the pressure on in 2015.

Thank you for your care and support,

Richard Martinez

I was diagnosed with ALS last year, which means I have 2-5 years to live. But a new drug could save my life – please help me convince the FDA to allow ALS patients like me to have early access to this life-saving medication.

 After any tragic shooting, we always ask, “What could we have done to prevent this?”

Families and law enforcement are usually the first to detect that someone is in crisis — but for too long they haven’t had the tools to temporarily remove guns from somebody who poses an extreme risk to themselves or others.

That’s exactly why we’re fighting for an Extreme Risk Protection Order bill that would give family members the ability to take action and stop tragedies before they happen. This Tuesday we’re taking that fight straight to the capitol in Olympia. Can you join us?

Click here to RSVP for the Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day in Olympia on Tuesday, February 10.

Here are the event details:

What: Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day
When: Tuesday, February 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Lunch will be provided for all attendees
Meeting Place: The United Churches of Olympia
110 Eleventh Ave SE; Olympia, WA 98501

We won big in November by helping pass I-594 at the ballot to require criminal background checks for all gun sales, but our lawmakers need to know that our state’s gun violence prevention movement hasn’t stopped fighting — and meeting them face-to-face is the most effective way to prove that.

The priority this session is to pass the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill — which would let Washington families and law enforcement ask a judge to temporarily remove guns from someone who poses an extreme risk to themselves or others.

On Tuesday, we’ll also be:

• Advocating for a bill to hold adults responsible for keeping guns out of the hands of children;
• Asking our legislators to protect the background checks law we worked so hard to win last year from any attempts at weakening it; and
• Holding a training for volunteers, writing letters to lawmakers, meeting with legislators, and hosting a press event to make sure our case for strong gun laws is heard in the media.

RSVP now if you can join us for the Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day on February 10.

Thanks for everything you do for this movement. I hope to see you in Olympia!

Leah Bernstein
Washington State Chapter Leader
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

P.S. If you can’t make it to the lobby day but want to add your voice to the fight for the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill, click here to automatically sign the petition to lawmakers now.