A Message from the Director, Law Enforcement Relations

While overall violent crime in the United States is down according to the Uniform Crime Report, the statistics also show that violent crime with firearms is up. Every effort to pass common sense, gun violence prevention laws in the US Congress has been blocked by a very powerful gun lobby.

We were all amazed and saddened when the federal ban on military style, semi-automatic assault weapons was allowed to expire, even after law enforcement officials from around the country came to Washington to tell Congress the importance of keeping the ban in place.

Since the assault weapons ban was allowed to expire by the President and Congressional leadership, our office has received numerous reports of law enforcement agencies looking into the purchase of similar types of assault weapons to be carried by their officers, and requests for assistance from state legislators who are working on passing assault weapons bans at the state level. Since it appears the federal government is not going to take any proactive steps to reduce gun violence in our communities, it is going to be left up to the states.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is dedicated to the men and women in law enforcement and the organizations that represent them. We are here to help whenever we can, and we have a national network of local activists who can work with you at the state and local levels. Whether you are working to close the gun show loophole, implement a statewide assault weapons ban or defend against the gun lobby's efforts to weaken existing laws, we can work with you to find the help you need.

The Law Enforcement Relations Department is here to help. Please do not hesitate to call on me at anytime. My direct line in Washington DC is 202-289-5762, and my e-mail address is rtess@bradymail.org.

Robert V. Tessaro, Associate Director
Law Enforcement Relations