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Gun Violence Weblog Updates |
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The Council Supports Legislation to Prevent
In April 2009, the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Council of
One of the linchpins of the illegal handgun distribution system in the Commonwealth is “straw purchasing” of handguns in bulk by technically eligible individuals who are stand-ins for prohibited felons/gun traffickers, who resell them to drug dealer, gang members, and others. Limiting the number of guns that can be sold to individuals and requiring persons to report lost and stolen guns would significantly reduce—and perhaps eliminate—straw purchases of handguns that end up being used for violent crimes.
Please note that the Council’s resolution addresses illegal handguns only. It does not challenge legal gun ownership (handguns or other).
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WORK TO END GUN VIOLENCE! Join Faith Leaders Coalition Against Illegal Handguns (clergy & faith leaders) Join Heeding God’s Call (lay advocates) MORE INFORMATION BELOW |
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Join Faith Leaders Against Illegal Handguns
In light of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches’ position to support reduction/prevention of gun violence, we are offering an opportunity for you, as individuals, to join the “Faith Leaders Coalition Against Illegal Guns.” Persons who sign on to the group’s “Statement of Principles” agree to work in cooperation with CeaseFirePA to encourage the passage of reasonable legislation aimed at reducing access to illegal handguns in order to reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by these illegal weapons. To sign the Statement, click here.
While this is aimed primarily at clergy and other faith leaders, there are opportunities for you to help if you do not consider yourself to be in one of those categories. You can: (1) pass this information on to your pastor, other faith leaders, and your networks with a request that these persons consider becoming part of the coalition; and (2) consider connecting with others who seek to reduce gun violence through Heeding God’s Call and/or CeaseFirePA.
Here are the Principles: Whereas: Far too many Pennsylvanians have died through gun violence in recent years. Included in this number are eighteen law enforcement officials killed in the line of duty since 2002. Whereas: Clergy of all faiths and denominations are called upon to comfort friends and families of victims of gun violence and thus know firsthand of the loss and pain caused by firearms. Whereas: Each of our faiths teaches us that all human life is sacred and must be protected. Whereas: The ease by which criminals can gain access to weapons illegally through so-called "straw purchasers" makes Pennsylvanians especially at risk of being victims of handgun violence. Now, therefore, we resolve to work together, in cooperation with CeaseFirePA, to encourage the passage of reasonable, commonsense gun laws to reducing access to illegal handguns, thus reducing the number of senseless injuries and deaths caused by illegal handguns. We invite all Pennsylvania clergy and religious leaders to join us in this effort.
Your support and the support of others in the faith community will raise a moral voice and help to generate the support of others to address a rising tide of handgun violence that affects all corners of our Commonwealth.
If you have questions, you can contact Burt Siegel, CeaseFirePA’s faith-based coordinator, at Butonsiege@gmail.com or (215) 582-0695. |
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Heeding God’s Call Works to Prevent the Sale and Distribution of Illegal Guns
Heeding God’s Call’s gun violence prevention program (http://www. heedinggodscall.org/) arose out of a peace gathering in Philadelphia in January 2009, Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace (http://peacegathering 2009.org/gathering-home). One of the actions that took place during that event was a protest at a well-known Philadelphia gun shop whose guns had turned up frequently in the commission of crimes by persons holding them illegally. While some of the protesters were arrested, they were acquitted in May. Because of the work by Heeding God’s Call, however, this shop is now closed.
Heeding God’s Call is looking to organize members of the faith community around the Commonwealth to work on gun violence prevention efforts in their own communities and statewide. Please join their peacemaking efforts! Visit their website or call Therese Miller at (570) 847-8987 or info@heedinggodscall.org. |
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· Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence (http://www.bradycenter.org/) · CeaseFire PA (http://www.ceasefirepa.org/) · Children’s Defense Fund (http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/violence.html) · Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (http://www.csgv.org/site/c.pmL5JnO7KzE/b.3509205/k.BDBC/Home.htm) · God Not Guns (http://www.godnotguns.org/) · Gun Free Kids (http://www.gunfreekids.org/) · Heeding God’s Call (http://www.heedinggodscall.org/) · Mayors Against Illegal Guns (http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/home/home.shtml) · PAX—Real Solutions to Gun Violence (http://www.paxusa.org/) · Protest Easy Guns (http://www.protesteasyguns.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=21054&Akey=QCJQT2XP) · States United to Prevent Gun Violence (http://www.supgv.org/) · Stop Gun Deaths Campaign (http://www.stopgundeaths.org/) · Students for Gun Free Schools (http://www.studentsforgunfreeschools.org/) · Violence Policy Center (http://www.vpc.org/) |
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Educational and Worship Resources for Congregations
Worship · How Long Shall I Cry for Help? (North Carolina Council of Churches)
Miscellaneous · God Not Guns Resources for Pastors · Preventing Gun Violence Packet (Mennonite Central Committee)
We are seeking additional resources for congregations. If you are aware of study guides or other materials concerning gun violence, please contact s.strauss@pachurches.org. |
