Why One Mom Started a National Movement for a Federal Assault Weapons Ban: Kitty Brandtner, Founder of March Fourth, Joins BUMP
On this week’s episode of Between Us Moms, we sit down with Kitty Brandtner — a mom, a business leader, and the accidental founder of March Fourth, a nonpartisan movement fighting for a federal ban on assault weapons. Her story began the morning after the Highland Park shooting on July 4th, 2022. Heartbroken and furious, Kitty woke up knowing she couldn’t simply go back to “normal.”
“I woke up on the 5th of July and was like, really spicy and pissed,” she says in the episode. “I just wanted to go to D.C. and scream at the top of my lungs that I want a federal ban on assault weapons.”
Instead, she opened Instagram, posted her email, took a deep breath (and a Xanax), and went to sleep. By morning, more than 300 messages had poured in from people all over the country who felt exactly the same way. That moment — unexpected, messy, hopeful — became the spark for March Fourth.
How a Movement Was Born by Accident
What started as one mom’s anger turned into a national call for action. Kitty didn’t set out to become an activist, and she still rejects the idea that you need credentials, political experience, or a plan to create change. You just need a clear line in the sand.
For her, that line was mass shootings.
“We’re not here to tell you how to vote,” Kitty says. “We’re here to ask if you believe we should end mass shootings.”
From the beginning, March Fourth has stayed intentionally nonpartisan — a place where anyone, from any background, can stand together on the simple belief that assault weapons do not belong in civilian hands.
What It Really Takes to Pass a Federal Assault Weapons Ban
In the episode, Kitty breaks down what it would actually take to move a federal ban through Congress — and why momentum grows every time ordinary citizens speak up. She doesn’t sugarcoat the realities, but she also doesn’t accept the idea that progress is impossible. Her message is clear: meaningful change has always come from people, not politicians.
And that starts with doing something — anything — from right where you are.
Small Actions, Real Impact
Kitty shares concrete, manageable steps anyone can take from home, whether you have five minutes or five hours. Calling representatives, showing up to local meetings, supporting gun-safety organizations, or simply letting elected officials know that their constituents care — it all matters.
A Raw, Hopeful Conversation for Anyone Who’s Ever Thought “I’m Not an Activist”
This episode is emotional, energizing, and deeply human. Kitty reminds us that you don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. You don’t need to have the perfect plan. Sometimes, it starts with waking up one morning and realizing you simply can’t pretend everything is fine.
Sometimes, it starts with deciding you won’t go back to work tomorrow.