As Congress considers legislation aimed at stemming the tide of gun violence, an interfaith coalition has designated Monday, February 4 a national Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence.
The Unitarian Universalist Association is a member of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a diverse coalition of over 40 faith-based organizations who are working together to confront America's gun violence epidemic, and to rally support for legislation that would require background checks on all gun sales and remove military-style assault weapons from our streets.
"As people of faith, and as responsible citizens, we have a moral obligation to press our elected leaders to take concrete steps toward the prevention of gun violence," said Rev. Kathryn Lohre, president of the National Council of Churches. "We may not fully agree on what those steps are, but we can certainly agree that the task ahead is nothing short of transforming the culture of violence in which we live for the sake of all of God’s children."
"We call on the thousands of mosques nationwide to have sermons on the issue of gun violence, asking their congregations to call on their representatives in Congress to bring about a solution to end gun violence in America," said Imam Mohamed Magid of the Islamic Society of North America. "As religious communities, we are in the business of saving lives."
To join in, look up your elected officials here, call 1-877-897-0174 (toll free), and ask to be connected to your U.S. senators. Please call twice to speak to both of your senators. Identify yourself as a member of the faith community, and emphasize the policies that you support.
The key components of the legislation that Congress is considering are:
- Require universal background checks for all gun purchases
- Ban semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
- Make gun trafficking a federal crime
- Improve access to mental health services
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Coalition, added, "Hispanic evangelicals stand committed to joining other communities of faith in advancing an agenda that protects our children, communities and future," said Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Coalition. "For at the end of the day, we understand that silence is not an option."
"We are called to honor all life," said Sister Simone Campbell of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby. "Gun violence remains one of the most powerful anti-life realities in our nation. We call on all people to responsibly support life by limiting gun violence."
For more information, resources, and regional partners, see the UUA.org web page Take Action to Prevent Gun Violence.
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