Grandparents for Gun Safety (GGS) is a gun control advocacy group that focuses its efforts in the Kansas City area. 1 It lobbies for gun control policies and conducts voter mobilization efforts. 2
In March 2025, GGS joined 43 other advocacy organizations for a “volunteer fair” hosted by Boots on the Ground Midwest, a Kansas City-based left-of-center initiative to provide training workshops for activists and “build a yellow brick road for our Senators to find their way back home to Kansas.” 3 It was promoted by Indivisible, a left-of-center demonstration organizer that directed activists to send yellow bricks to the offices of U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). 4 5
Background
Grandparents for Gun Safety was founded in 2013 in response to gun control measures failing to pass the Congress following the Sandy Hook, Connecticut school shooting. Its primary point of advocacy has been for greater gun control measures throughout the country, including universal background checks, waiting periods to purchase firearms, and education. 6
Originally named “Grandmothers Against Gun Violence,” it changed its name to “Grandparents Against Gun Violence” in 2015. In 2021, it changed its name to “Grandparents for Gun Safety, Stand With Us!” to express a “collaborative vision.” 6
Programs
Grandparents for Gun Safety’s signature program is Lock It For Love (LIFL), which distributes free locks for firearms as well as “educational material” relating to gun safety. 6
In 2014, it launched the Heartland Coalition Against Gun Violence program, which connected similar organizations in Kansas and Missouri. 6
Every year, GGS and the Heartland Coalition hold a Community Forum to discuss gun control issues. These events have had keynote speakers, columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr., parent of a Sandy Hook victim Nicole Hockley, and founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Candace Lightner. 6
In 2021, its keynote speaker for its pandemic-era virtual forum was Megan Ranney, MD, who discussed the “public health epidemic of gun violence” and “strategic steps” to end it. 6
Activities
In 2024, Grandparents for Gun Safety held monthly educational programs taught by local gun control activists with 60 to 80 attendees. It also lobbied for gun control in Topeka and Jefferson City, distributed leaflets with statistics on gun violence to state and federal legislators, delivered suicide warning signs to gun stores in Kansas City, and conducted voter mobilization efforts. 2
In March 2025, GGS joined 43 other nonprofit organizations for a “volunteer fair” hosted by Boots on the Ground Midwest, a Kansas City-based left-of-center initiative to provide training workshops for activists and “build a yellow brick road for our Senators to find their way back home to Kansas.” 3 It was promoted by Indivisible, a left-wing demonstration organizer which directed activists to send yellow bricks to the offices of U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). 4 5 In 2022, Indivisible promised to send its protestors $1,000 to cover their costs; it is unclear as of 2025 whether it was still operating this program. 7
Financials
In 2023, Grandparents for Gun Safety reported revenue of $63,874, total expenses of $70,243, and net assets of $117,357. 8
Leadership
As of 2025, Judy Sherry was the president of Grandparents for Gun Safety, reportedly working full time. 9 She founded the organization, and has worked as a nonprofit fundraiser and volunteer for many years, including KCUR Public Radio, AIDS Walk Kansas City, Food Pantry of Jewish Family Services of Kansas City, the KCMO Public School District, and the National Council of Jewish Women Greater Kansas City Section. 6
As of 2025, Rachel Casey was GGS’s executive director. 6
References
- “Home.” Grandparents for Gun Safety. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://grandparentsforgunsafety.org/about/.
- “Year in Review.” Grandparents for Gun Safety. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://grandparentsforgunsafety.org/about/year-in-review/.
- Glynn, Earl F. “Boots on the Ground Midwest promotes progressive organizing in KC area.” Watchdog Lab – Substack.com, March 17, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://watchdoglab.substack.com/p/boots-on-the-ground-midwest-promotes.
- “Kansas Senators – There’s No Place Like Home.” Indivisible. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/761740/.
- Glynn, Earl F. ““Indivisible” to harass US Senators this week in Kansas.” Watchdog Lab – Substack.com, March 16, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://watchdoglab.substack.com/p/indivisible-to-harass-us-senators.
- “About.” Grandparents for Gun Safety. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://grandparentsforgunsafety.org/about/.
- “IndivisiGather: Community Building Event Reimbursement Request Form. Indivisible, Archived February 24, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20220224083400/https://indivisible.org/indivisigather-community-building-event-reimbursement-request-form.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Grandparents for Gun Safety. 2023. Part I, lines 9, 17, 21.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Grandparents for Gun Safety. 2023. Part IV – List of Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees.