As a survivor and now trauma surgeon, I wrote this piece for @usatoday.com reflecting on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Our political disagreements must never descend into violence. Democracy thrives on debate — not bullets.

This is sick. An 11-year-old rang a doorbell in Houston. For that, he was shot dead. Childhood games shouldn’t be death sentences. But in America, it is.

6 years ago today, 7 lives were stolen and 25 people injured in Midland & Odessa #TX by a shooter who should have been stopped by a background check. We owe it to them and to every victim of gun violence to finally pass universal background checks.

For the record, we’re asking both God and our government to listen. This isn’t difficult.

Grateful to earn the endorsement of @bradypac.bsky.social. Their leadership has been critical in advancing commonsense solutions to prevent gun violence nationwide. Together we’ll continue championing California’s strongest-in-the-nation protections and ensuring firearms stay out of dangerous hands.

Back-to-school should mean new backpacks and first day photos. In America, it means lockdown drills, swatting hoaxes that traumatize campuses, and now another shooting in Minneapolis that killed 2 children. We can’t wait for the next tragedy. And we can’t continue to live this way. Read more:

CA AG @robbonta.bsky.social’s GVP record is extraordinary. He opened a first of its kind Office of GVP, has aggressively defended CA’s lifesaving laws, and has held the gun industry accountable. We are proud to endorse him for re-election.

The MN school shooting is a tragic reminder that we need bold, relentless leaders who will enforce gun laws and fight to keep our children safe. CA has that leader in @robbonta.bsky.social. He has stood up to the gun lobby and delivered real results. We are proud to endorse him for re-election.

It IS a terrible situation. It IS a preventable situation. We can do two things at once in America: pray AND act.

Today’s shooting wasn’t because Catholic schools hold Mass. It was because a gunman had easy access to a firearm. But sure, let’s have another “security expert” debate usher training & pew evacuation routes instead of real solutions to address gun violence. This is nothing more than obfuscation.

Don’t buy the line that “nothing has been done.” We passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — and this President gutted its life-saving programs. Yes, we must do more. But change starts with the people in power. Voters must hold them accountable and demand better.

It should not be lost today that #MN has experienced 2 horrific mass shootings in about 2 month’s time — first, with the assassinations of Melissa & Mark Hortman and attempted assassinations of John & Yvette Hoffman, and now, with two elementary school kids dead. We must comfort MN, and we must ACT.

Blood is on the hands of Trump, the gun lobby and every member of Congress who supports them. I have fought them and won before. I’ll do it again.

Whatever your political ideology, there are few moments where action is more appropriate. #MN

I’m a proud, life-long Catholic. God didn’t arm the Minneapolis shooter, politicians did. Nothing that has been reported about the cause points to religion. It does point to a dangerous individual having easy access to weapons. Let’s stop hiding behind religion to excuse the preventable.

There seems to be some confusion, so let’s address it: we can both pray AND act. #MN

Brady PAC is proud to endorse 19 #NJ General Assembly gun violence prevention champions who will partner with @mikiesherrill.bsky.social in Trenton for safer communities. NJ cannot afford to reverse course. Lives are on the line. These candidates need your vote this November. #NJleg

🚨BREAKING🚨 Incredibly honored to receive an early endorsement from @bradypac.bsky.social! “Senator Jeff Waldstreicher is not just a vote for gun safety, he’s a champion in the trenches. When lives are literally on the line, and they most definitely are, Jeff is the fighter to have in your corner."

Brady PAC is proud to endorse Marni von Wilpert for #CA Senate! @marnivonwilpert.bsky.social is a strong leader in the fight against ghost guns, funding #CVI programs, and making public safety more equitable across San Diego. Californians need & deserve her courage in Sacramento. #CAleg

Today, we’re proud to endorse Senator Jeff Waldstreicher for re-election to the #MD Senate! Senator Waldstreicher is a bold, relentless, and highly effective champion for gun violence prevention. We’re proud to have him help leading the fight to free Maryland from gun violence. #MDleg

Honored to have @bradypac.bsky.social's endorsement. Grateful for the leadership of Brady United PAC's President @krisbrown.bradyunited.org. These are serious times. It’s not enough to say we will fight Trump and the powerful gun lobby. We need someone who has taken on the NRA and won.

@krisbrown.bradyunited.org was with Congresswoman Robin Kelly today in Chicago to roll out our endorsement of her candidacy for U.S. Senate! Robin knows that fighting to protect lives is also about the future we owe our children and generations to come. #ILSen

Thank you, @krisbrown.Bradyunited.org & @bradyunited.org, for the kind words. I’m proud to fight for our communities and connect the dots that matter. Looking forward to standing with you for a special announcement later today! www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/30/m...

🚨🚨 BIG NEWS: Brady PAC has endorsed @robinlynnekelly.bsky.social, an unparalleled gun violence prevention champion, in her bid for the U.S. Senate. Robin Kelly has helped define the modern GVP movement. #ILSen

I am honored to receive the endorsement of Brady PAC in their mission to eliminate gun violence nationwide. With their support, I plan to continue advocating for gun-safety legislation in the General Assembly. @bradypac.bsky.social

Today, Brady PAC is proud to endorse @SenatorHashmi @jonesjay and 26 candidates for the #VA House of Delegates. These gun safety leaders are running to save lives. Help us send them to Richmond: secure.actblue.com/donate/brady...

When it comes to the safety of New Jersey’s children and communities, there’s only one choice for Governor: @mikiesherrill.bsky.social This election is far more than just about who holds power in Trenton, it’s about protecting lives. We are tremendously proud to endorse Mikie. #NJGov

“She gets it.” — Native Virginian, Grey’s Anatomy/Station 19 actor, and @bradyunited.org advocate Jason George on why we must elect @abigailspanberger.com Governor this November #VAGov bit.ly/3GLJAtd

We have until March 7 to fight back against President Trump’s executive order to “dismantle” gun violence prevention measures. Americans want gun safety, not Trump's guns everywhere agenda. Sign the petition. Act now to stop Trump’s rollback and save lives. www.bradyunited.org/take-action/...

With Kash Patel leading ATF, now two of the most critical agencies responsible for investigating and solving crime are going to be run by someone who has not only NEVER run a criminal investigation, but who also appears to be sympathetic to criminal groups themselves.

America, meet the next Deputy Director of the FBI. Our country just became far more dangerous and the threat is from within.

Seven years ago, 17 students and educators were taken from us at Parkland. So many live with the trauma of that day. Today, we remember them, support survivors, and commit to taking action against gun violence. Join us tonight at 7pm on Instagram live to honor with action.

Not again. Why does this keep happening? BECAUSE OF THE GUNS. Gun violence shouldn't be as uniquely American as the Super Bowl. But today now marks 2 years in a row of parade shootings — on top of the anniversary of the Parkland mass shooting. @fredguttenberg.bsky.social @bradyunited.org

Seven years ago today, 17 students and teachers were killed, and 17 others were injured in the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Today and every day we’re grieving those we’ve lost and advocating for change for those who are still with us.

Join us over on Instagram live on 2/14 at 7pm ET as we lead a conversation to commemorate the 7th Annual Day of Remembrance for the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Representation matters.

this is the sort of thing you post when you’re ramping up to defying lawful court orders

“Protect our kids” except when you don’t.

Hell yeah. Hold the line. This is what we need people to do. Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.

And let's be clear here - if the Trump administration does a fair evaluation of these policies they will only find one thing — that they are completely consistent with the Second Amendment and respect the rights of gun owners.

We officially have our first direct attack on gun safety. Trump's order directs an evaluation of all Biden administration actions on firearms with the goal to undo them and seeks to "enhance firearm rights." I won't say it's not scary. But we've held the line before and we'll do it again.

Didn’t Trump just promise the president of Mexico that he would clamp down on gun trafficking? Tonight, he issued an order that would probably do the exact opposite and put more lives at risk. Donald Trump simply can’t be trusted with anyone’s safety.

This is exactly who they are.

This is yet another crucial reminder that President Trump does not have the kingly powers he is trying to utilize. And therefore we can stop overreach. As @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social deftly cautioned us, "The projection of strength obscures the reality of weakness. Don’t believe him."

If President Trump actually cared about making America safer, he would work to #EndGunViolence. Yet the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention’s website is already down.

I’m running to be the next Governor of Michigan to ensure everyone gets a fair shot. I'm a mom, military spouse, marathoner, educator — and Michigan’s Secretary of State. www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ci...

This is heartbreaking. Five lives taken in a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. We must act now.

Many Americans had not heard of 3D-printed "ghost guns" until this week. In fact, bradyunited.org nearly crashed due to traffic to our Ghost Gun webpage. People want to learn more, but most reporting is missing a very crucial fact. And it's about what Trump plans to do. Here's what you need to know.