Act to End Gun Violence!

Despite the unrelenting and terrible toll taken by gun violence year after year in the United States, Congress has done distressingly little to address what has become a major public health threat.  While tragic incidents of gun violence like the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Aurora, Colorado and Oak Creek, Wisconsin draw national headlines, in many communities across the country, the impact of gun violence is a day-to-day reality.

The public dialogue about gun violence can quickly become divisive. However, as several prominent leaders from both major political parties have noted, the complex and emotional dynamics that underlie gun violence cannot be an excuse for inaction. The cost of gun violence, which is seen in lives lost and forever altered; in the medical and criminal justice expenses; in ever increasing security requirements; and in quality of life diminished by fear of gun violence, is too high. Our nation must begin to take concrete steps to address it.

Background

Long before the tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December, members of the faith community have steadfastly advocated for sensible, responsible policies to end gun violence.  In 1995, The UCC 20th General Synod passed a resolution entitled “Violence in Our Society and World,” in which it recognized the complicated and interwoven layers at the root of violence.

That same General Synod also passed a resolution entitled “Guns and Violence,” inviting UCC members and congregations to advocate for legislation to strengthen licensing and registration of gun sales, strengthen regulations of gun dealers and ban semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips.

The faith community has come together many times in the aftermath of gun tragedies to urge lawmakers to pass laws that prevent gun violence. Tested by our grief, resolute in our faith we remain committed to continuing this drumbeat.

Take Action – Send the letter below or join an interfaith call-in day on February 4th!

It will take a multilayered approach to address the prevalence of gun violence, but we can begin now.  Although no one piece of legislation will provide a solution, meaningful legislative steps can help reduce the toll of gun violence.

You can ensure that the voice of faithful Americans rings throughout the halls of Congress. On February 4th, call your members of Congress and insist that they act to prevent gun violence. Call 1-888-897-0174 and ask to be connected to your legislators. (Ideas for promoting this interfaith call-in day to your congregation and friends.)

Urge members of Congress to:

• Reinstate the expired assault weapons ban (bills were recently introduced in both the House and Senate);
• Strengthen background checks;
• Ban high-capacity ammunition magazines;
• Strengthen efforts to stop straw purchasing of guns (in which someone purchases a firearm for another person who is prohibited from doing so) through the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act.

It’s time to turn our shared grief into collective action.

1. Personalize the subject and text of the message below with your own words, if you wish.
2. Complete the form below with your information.
3. Click the Send Message button to send your letter to these decision makers:
   • Your Senators
   • Your Representative