Gun Violence Sculpture 2
NEW YORK, USA - Feb 20, 2019: Non-Violence is a bronze sculpture by Swedish artist Carl Reutersward of an oversized Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver with a knotted barrel and muzzle pointing upwards. (Photo by Mikhail Palinchak ©palinchak/123RF.COM)
Church and Society applauds the May 10 United Methodist Insight editorial "We Call for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting Against Gun Violence.” We agree that consistent support for gun violence prevention is how we can put an end to gun violence.
Along with the power of prayer and fasting, it’s also important to act as a strong public witness to advocate for laws at the local and national level that prevent or reduce gun violence as outlined in the 2016 United Methodist Book of Resolutions. (Resolution #3428)
Gun violence is a public health and safety crisis that has become way too common in the United States. More than two-thousand people are injured and more than five hundred people die every day because of gun violence.
Many more people are traumatized by continued exposure to deadly violence in our streets, schools, places of worship, grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants and concerts. An epidemic of easy access to firearms in the U.S. are the principal mechanism of killings and intimidation in communities with guns in the home.
In addition, gun massacre deaths in the United States have tripled since the assault weapons ban lapsed in 2004. (Washington Post) The use of high-velocity weapons and large capacity magazines makes these tragic incidents more deadly; perpetrators are able to shoot more victims before being detained and those injured are more likely to die from their wounds. (Everytown)
While the last 117th Congress failed to pass the assault weapons ban, the current 118th Congress now has such a bill in both the House (H.R. 698) and Senate (S. 25).
As Christians, we must act to protect the sanctity of life. As followers of Jesus Christ called to live into the reality of God’s dream of shalom as described by Micah 4, we must address gun violence so “that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in God’s paths.” Therefore, we call upon United Methodists to prayerfully address gun violence (2016 Book of Resolutions, #3428).
It is up to us to engage and take action to end the horrible cycle of gun violence through prayer, fasting and meaningful gun violence prevention laws.
This June 4, United Methodists around the world have an opportunity to engage and take action by donating to local UMC Peace with Justice Sunday to Restore Peace and #Wear Orange to Prevent Gun Violence.
Jeffrey Corey, Director of Communications
General Board of Church and Society
Washington, D.C.