The Peace and Justice Committee supports actions by The House of Hope Presbyterian Church and by church members to prevent gun violence on a national, statewide, and local community level.
Our faith calls us to do more about gun violence. “All who live by the sword will die by the sword,” said Jesus in Matthew 26:52b, admonishing Peter for drawing his weapon in defense.
Far from being a political issue, gun violence is an epidemic that affects the United States and church communities profoundly. Last year, more than 30,000 American deaths and countless injuries traumatized families and neighborhoods, and the church is where the bereaved and the shell-shocked come to find peace, understanding, and a place of rest for their lost loved ones. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship on their website states “This is a crucial moment for people of faith to take action to prevent gun violence.”
Here are a few reasons why we are particularly concerned about gun violence in the U.S. Whereas:
Our city of St. Paul experienced 18 gun homicides in 2017. Police report there was a 37 percent increase in shots fired in 2017, compared to 2016. And more than 130 people were injured by gun violence in St. Paul in 2017. St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell addressed the City Council about those rising numbers. In doing so, he called it a “public health crisis.”
Our Twin Cities community has also experienced two high-profile police shootings, Philando Castile in July 2016, and Justine Ruszczyk on July 15, 2017. The circumstances for each of these shootings were troublesome, and suggest that police are potentially becoming unnerved by the prevalence of guns in our society, and are reacting to their perceived vulnerability with quick use of a gun when doing police work.
In response to the increase in gun violence in St. Paul in 2017, former St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman stated, “We have to stand up as a community and say we won’t tolerate this. As community members we need to step up and take responsibility.” The Peace and Justice Committee believes that as a church in St. Paul, we need to heed former Mayor Coleman’s words, and step up and take responsibility for what House of Hope Presbyterian Church and our members can do to respond to this public health crisis.
Therefore, the Peace and Justice Committee will inform the congregation of legislation on a national and statewide level that if enacted could increase or reduce gun violence. We will also present opportunities for the congregation and its members to become involved in the legislative process regarding gun legislation. We support common sense legislation that will keep guns out of the hands of dangerous and suicidal individuals, and prevent the unintentional injury and death of children. Some of the gun violence prevention measures we support include:
On a local level, the Peace and Justice Committee will support congregational involvement with organizations and initiatives that are committed to reducing gun violence in our neighborhood in St. Paul. We believe that a multi-faceted approach is required to reduce gun violence, focusing not only on legislation, but also inter-related public health problems including racial and income disparities, adverse childhood experiences, mass incarceration, gang violence, and improper use of violence during policing. We believe that a bipartisan effort is required to reduce gun violence on a local, state, and national level.
A Message from St. Paul Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense:
Promoting Community Safety: The Crucial Role of Responsible Firearm Storage
A sobering reality our community faces is the impact of firearm-related incidents, particularly those arising from unsafe storage practices. When guns are not securely stored many dangers arise: accidental harm from a child “playing” with a loaded weapon; the ease of access for a person struggling with mental illness; and the risk of the weapon being stolen and used for criminal purposes. These are not just threats, but reality in Minnesota. Each year approximately 351 people in Minnesota die by firearm suicide, with the availability and effectiveness of firearms increasing the risk of a fatal outcome. Equally concerning is the alarming rate at which guns are stolen from vehicles. The FBI reports that approximately one gun is stolen from a car every 15 minutes on average in cities across the country. In the first two quarters of 2022, the St. Paul Police Department identified that 52% of stolen guns recovered from crimes were stolen from motor vehicles.
Since May 2023, it is also the law in St. Paul that guns must be securely stored following the amendment of Chapter 225 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code. Secure storage measures, such as gun safes and gun locks, can play a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access to firearms and ensuring compliance with the city ordinance. By practicing and encouraging responsible storage and fostering a culture of awareness within our community, we can collectively contribute to reducing the incidence of firearm-related tragedies and make our homes and streets safer for everyone. To receive a free gun lock or more information on this issue, email St. Paul Moms Demand Action. Secure firearm storage saves lives.
