WORKING TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE
Many, if not most, can agree that too many people are being injured and killed by guns. The problem has only increased across the nation in this year of tension filled with racial justice protests and pandemic restrictions. At the same time, there are strong feelings and opinions about the Second Amendment of our country’s Constitution and the right of citizens to bear arms.
How can we, as Christians and justice-seekers, open conversations about this issue? What are the facts, and what actions can concerned citizens take? How can we motivate our state legislators and Congresspersons to take appropriate action to reduce unwanted injuries and death? Just what kind of firearms is it reasonable for responsible citizens to possess?
To aide in this conversation, Oregon-Idaho’s Methodist Federation for Social Action has gathered resources, web links, and readings on gun violence – its sources, its impact, and its story.
You can use these resources on the Oregon-Idaho MFSA website to help you learn more and take action on this issue. There are:
links to groups who can help you learn more and join with others in taking action.
suggested books for reading and study.
links to statistics of actual gun violence listed by state and for the nation at large. And,
Resources on United Methodist positions and beliefs on gun violence.
In addition to your own learning, these resources can be used to support an online discussion, sermon preparation, or book club group at your local church. Check for additional resources as we become aware of them and add them to the site.