A Pastoral Letter on Gun Violence in America
As gun violence continues to threaten life and livelihood across the United States, the Western Methodist Justice Movement offers this pastoral letter to our community. We invite you to think about it, use it, share it, copy and paste it, preach on it, write a better version for your community, and pray about it. But, in this case, prayers also require action. At the end of the letter is a list of a few action steps you can take.
Dear United Methodists,
The Western Methodist Justice Movement is aware that our world is reeling from many forms of gun violence, including mass shootings and officer-related deaths. Now is the time for us to speak out and stand up for gun violence prevention, and for the ability to live safely in our neighborhoods.
We are reminded of the vision of Isaiah (chapter 5) when he saw a new way of living:
God will judge between the nations, and settle disputes of mighty nations.
Then they will beat their swords into iron plows and their spears into pruning tools.
Nation will not take up sword against nation;
they will no longer learn how to make war.
We have seen war between nations, and we have experienced war in our streets. Weapons of war are being used to bring harm and death in the schools of our children, in our churches, and in our gatherings of persons of color and LGBTQIA+ communities. Recently we saw weapons of war killing children and teachers in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, at a July 4th parade in Highlands Park, Illinois, and in the police shooting of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man in Akron, Ohio. These events are regular, persistent, and all too familiar. And due to their common occurrence, our hearts are breaking because of these abhorrent events of evil, and because weapons of war are being used in our streets and neighborhoods. This background information gives us context:
In the US, 300 people are shot every day, and 100 of them die.
When a weapons ban was in place, mass shootings dropped, preventing 70% of mass shooting deaths during the years it was in effect. When sunseted in 2004, there was a 239% increase in mass shootings.
For decades, auto accidents were the leading cause of death among children, but since 2020, guns are the leading cause of death in children.
Of adults who die of gun related deaths: 65% are due to suicide; 30% are homicide.
When children die of gun related deaths: 65% are homicides, 35 % are suicide.
(See more information at www.gunviolencearchive.org)
We also hear the ancient words from the book of James,
…so faith without actions is dead (2:26b)
And so, we are asking all United Methodists to live out an active-faith by speaking to their senators and representatives, asking for the following:
Support universal background checks on all gun sales
Up the age limits for purchasing all firearms
Ban the use and sale of assault weapons. Weapons of war do not belong in the hands of civilians.
Close the Charlestown loophole
Implement Red Flag Laws
Repeal PLOCAA (The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a law that protects gun manufacturers from liability. The gun manufacturing industry is one of the few industries not regulated)
Ask City Police Department Chiefs and Councils to retrain all officers in anti-racism protocols and in peaceful operations for safe neighborhoods.
If you own a gun, make sure you are a responsible owner who stores it safely and is educated in safety protocols.
When you speak to your community, state, and national representatives, let them know you will only be voting for those who actively work on making our communities safer. Contact your representatives regularly, even weekly. We will not cease until change is made.
Siblings in Christ, if we become active in our faith, and call upon our representatives to implement common-sense gun legislation and practices, then we will usher in the vision of Isaiah where weapons of war will be turned into gardening tools. Thank you for putting your faith in action. Pass on the word: let this be our movement towards peace and safety.
Yours in Christ,
The leadership team of the Western Methodist Justice Movement