WASHINGTON - February 12 - Brady Campaign President Dan Gross will be attending the State of the Union address along with his brother Matt, whose own experience with gun violence inspired his activism.  Matt Gross was shot and severely wounded while visiting the Empire State Building in 1997.  His friend was tragically shot and killed in that same incident.

“Gun violence touches hundreds of families in America, every single day.  And every day I am reminded of the tragic impact it can have not only on the victims, but on everyone around them.  My brother was shot, and his best friend killed, simply for visiting the Empire State Building,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign.  “So tonight, my brother and I together will be listening to President Obama speak.  We expect that he will reaffirm his commitment to seeing real change to our gun laws, so that hopefully one day I can look my brother in the eye and tell him we made a difference.”  

Dan Gross is attending as the guest of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NYC), and Matt Gross is the guest of Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).  They are attending as part of an effort organized by several members of Congress who have recruited victims of gun violence, to attend the speech as their guest.

As the President of the Brady Campaign, Dan Gross has been working closely with the White House and with Congress to consider the comprehensive set of recommendations put forth by President Obama.  The Brady Campaign represents the millions of Americans who have spoken up and demanded action in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, CT.  The Brady Campaign delivered petitions with almost 35,000 signatures, collected in just 48 hours, directed at the Senate Judiciary Committee members, imploring them to continue their work in moving legislation. 

"We are attending the speech tonight as a family touched by violence, and as Americans who care about the future of our country. But now is the time for all Americans, whether personally touched by gun violence or not, to stand up and call for action.  Because now it’s up to us and only we can make it happen."