Socio-legal mobilization for SMO’s: The Impact of Litigation efforts and media coverage for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Courts can serve as important vehicles for policy change and social movements regularly turn to courts to achieve their policy objectives. In this study, I analyze the Brady Campaign's legal efforts in suing the gun industry and representing victims of gun violence to explore their effects. The thesis examines legal cases in which the Brady Campaign participates, their media coverage, and fundraising in the associated years. My work suggests that locally covered cases positively impact Brady’s donations compared to nationally covered cases from high-profile mass shootings. What this study reveals is the positive influence of legal mobilization on the advancement of social movement organizations.