The Challenge
The illicit and unfettered flow of guns into communities is one of the central root causes of the country’s gun violence epidemic. The overwhelming majority of guns on the street originate from the legal marketplace but find their way into the hands of individuals who use them for harm. This diversion of firearms is facilitated by irresponsible gun dealers who create environments in which guns can be purchased and transported easily, making them more readily available for illegal use. In fact, six Philadelphia gun dealers are among the top crime gun dealers in the country.
The Project
Through this Emerging Leader Fellowship, Ashley Johnson will work with Brady to increase public understanding of the supply-side issue of gun violence, with the goal of animating local leaders, elected officials, law enforcement, and the gun industry to hold problematic gun dealers accountable and to reform irresponsible industry actors in Philadelphia. She will develop and implement a comprehensive educational campaign, conduct a survey to assess its impact, and leverage community voice and storytelling to amplify the experiences of those affected by gun violence.
Specifically, this Fellowship will enable Ashley to:
- Develop and implement an educational campaign that encourages individuals to participate in advocacy efforts, such as educating legislators, attending community forums, and supporting gun reform organizations.
- Conduct a survey to gauge the reach and impact of the educational campaign and track actions taken as a result of it. By evaluating both awareness and engagement levels, Ashley will support Brady in refining its strategies and ensuring the campaign’s effectiveness in driving meaningful change.
- Deploy communities to drive sustained change by amplifying the experiences and perspectives of those directly affected by gun violence, with the goal of fostering a long-term cultural shift toward accountability and prevention.
