Hi John,

My name is Dr. Joe Sakran, I am a trauma surgeon at Johns Hopkins and Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer at Brady. I love being a trauma surgeon but I was not brought to this point by passion alone, I’m where I am because of what happened to me when I was 17 years old. 

On September 23, 1994 – 31 years ago today – I was shot in the throat by a stray bullet that nearly killed me. But I lived, thanks to the trauma surgeons who saved my life, using a vein from my leg to repair my injured carotid artery. I went on to study under the very doctors who saved my life that day and now work to give people the same second chance at life that I was so lucky to receive.

As a trauma surgeon in Baltimore, I treat gunshot victims nearly everyday and witness gun violence’s staggering toll on our healthcare system, our economy, and our future. I’ve dedicated my career to caring for the vulnerable, but I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that no matter how skilled I or any surgeon may be, the most effective treatment for gunshot wounds is prevention. 

Right now, we face a presidential administration that does not recognize gun violence as the public health epidemic that it is. The negligence of Trump’s first administration ushered in increases in gun homicide nationwide and it seems he’s determined to leave a similarly deadly legacy in his second term.

That’s why I’m asking you to join me in calling on Congress to take action to free America from gun violence. We know the common sense, comprehensive measures that lawmakers can pass right now and save lives – we just have to keep pushing them to act. So, John, will you join me in calling for critical action now? >>

The NRA once told doctors like me to “stay in our lane.” What they fail to understand is this is our lane. I’ve held the hands of parents whose children didn’t make it home. I’ve seen the trauma that ripples through families, communities, schools, and economies.

Gun violence doesn’t just kill people — it harms community life, limits business growth, and disrupts educational systems. That’s why I’m committed to saving lives, advancing public health, and advocating for meaningful policy changes to end the senseless carnage of gun violence that has plagued our communities.

We have made huge strides in our movement to free America from gun violence, but with Trump in the White House, we have to fight harder than ever to protect life-saving policies.

Please, John, join me in urging Congress to take action to protect children and all Americans from gun violence and its lasting effects. Add your name to Brady’s urgent petition to Congress demanding life-saving legislation to address gun violence. >>

I was shot when I was 17, but I was lucky enough to survive. Far too many are not as lucky, and those who do survive deal with the lasting physical and mental effects of the injury for their whole life. We must do all that we can to stop the continuous carnage from gun violence in our nation – to honor the victims and survivors and protect the lives that we still can. Thank you for fighting for change today, John.

Dr. Joe Sakran

Gun Violence Survivor

Brady Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer

Trauma Surgeon