If You Want to Change Gun Violence in the US After the March For Our Lives, Join These Advocacy Groups

Many in the media have cited the Parkland tragedy as a tipping point in our national debate surrounding firearms—with politicians passing unprecedented gun control measures, and thousands of students participating in school walkouts this month—and the March for Our Lives is certain to provide a huge surge of momentum for the movement.

But March for Our Lives isn’t the only organization fighting for gun control in America. During this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, it’s important to continue our support for the other groups working tirelessly to end gun violence across our nation. We’ve rounded up some of the top nonprofits advocating for this important cause, and detailed ways you can get involved.

Take action on gun control now by contacting your congressperson:

Everytown for Gun Safety was first launched in 2014, when former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg spent $50 million to help create an organization that would fight the NRA and support gun control. Everytown combined existing groups Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and vowed to be as aggressive as the NRA in their approach to gun control reforms.

Today, Everytown remains a leading nonprofit in the fight to end firearm violence, and is collaborating with student organizers to plan the March for Our Lives.

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Everytown advocates for stricter criminal background checks, laws that reduce domestic gun violence, and measures that would stop the illegal trafficking of guns. To get involved, you can head to Everytown’s website for a list of action items, or donate today.

The Brady Campaign was founded in 1974, making the organization one of the oldest gun control groups in America. It was initially called the National Council to Control Handguns, but changed its name in 2001 to the Brady Campaign in order to honor Jim Brady, the former White House press secretary who was wounded during the 1981 attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. In 2001, the Brady Campaign also incorporated the Million Mom March—another gun control advocacy group—into the organization.

Today, the Brady Campaign possesses a bold mission: to cut the number of American gun deaths in half, by the year 2025. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the group has taken a three pronged approach: they aim to change the culture by educating citizens about gun safety, change laws to block the illegal sale of weapons, and change the gun industry by holding them accountable and introducing stricter regulations. To join the Brady Campaign’s efforts, you can head to their website for ways to take action, or donate to their cause.

Even the NRA admitted to fearing the Violence Policy Center’s gun control efforts, when they called VPC “the most effective…anti-gun rabble rouser in Washington.” Founded in 1988, the organization is a leader in advocating for anti-gun policy across the country, on both federal and state levels.

VPC fights for its goals in a number of ways. The organization educates citizens on the impact of the “public health epidemic” of gun violence in America, through education, media campaigns, and issue based advocacy. The extensive research conducted by the organization, also helps legislators devise tactics to regulate the gun industry. Finally, the VPC aims to expose the gun lobby, and the NRA’s sinister political influence in Washington. You can sign up for VPC’s newsletter here, or get involved by making a donation today.

Since the 70’s, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) has pushed educational and legislative agendas, aimed at ending gun violence in America. Through data-based policy development and effective lobbying, the CSGV has remained an aggressive advocate for gun control throughout its history.

With its team of experienced lawyers and policy experts, CSGV has a reputation for crafting and passing innovative gun control legislation. The group aggressively fights the NRA—which it labels an ‘extremist hate group’—through media campaigns, policy, and activism. The CSVG also advocates for policy that disarms domestic abusers, and actively works to prevent firearm suicides. To join the fight, you can get involved with one the CSGV’s many campaigns, or donate to the organization.