"I love guns." That is what the man said to me as we walked to our cars following a gathering on ending gun violence hosted by our Congressperson Tony Cárdenas. I could hear the passion in his voice. "I had a gun when I was a kid," he continued, "It was a small gun which we used for hunting. I never thought we would have guns like we have today." To my surprise, he wasn't arguing against gun bans. He was lamenting the technological advances that have made guns so deadly. He and I, a gun owner and a non-gun-owner, were able to hear one another and agree that something needs to be done right away to reduce gun violence in the U.S.A.
A majority (90%) of all U.S. Americans, including 87% of gun owners, think there should be universal background checks. 41% of U.S. Americans believe we already have such a thing, but we don't. Private sellers at gun shows and online can sell to private buyers without a background check. This represents around 40% of all gun sales. People who can't pass a background check can still purchase guns through this method, which is called the "gun-show loophole." Closing this loophole is something the vast majority of us would like to do, whether or not we own guns.
Why can't we? Three letters: NRA. The gun manufacturers fund the National Rifle Association and the NRA's political arm funds our politicians. Like most common sense change in the U.S.A., the people must speak up; we must become louder and stronger than the NRA lobbyist whose job it is to oppose our proposals. We haven't had much success on the federal level yet.
Where we are succeeding is state-by-state. California is leading the way, but other states are also working to pass laws which will reduce gun injuries and deaths.
When we look at all the successful movements in the U.S.A., we often see people of faith alongside others at the forefront of struggle. There is so much that people of faith can do. We have a resource that can help to focus you and your faith community on tasks that make sense for you. From the annual Gun Violence Sabbath resources, to facts and figures, Bible Studies, and more, this resource will enable you to make a difference.
In hope,
Sandie Richards
PCU Board Member