We Remain Committed
to Eradicating Gun Violence
September 17, 2013
The
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness (OPW) in Washington, DC,
is saddened by the deaths of thirteen people (including the gunman) at the
Washington Navy Yard on yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers on behalf of the
families suffering loss today are heartfelt. The scriptures remind us, that If
we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether
we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8) We pray for each
and our nation with the belief that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ promised
that we would not have to face this moment alone.
The
United States of America is in need of common sense gun laws. We are once again
reminded that our nation is sadly entrapped by a culture of violence. We are
still faced with gun deaths on the evening news every day. Each day, eight
children are killed by guns in the United States. Our streets, schools, movie theaters,
political rallies, workplaces, and houses of worship are no longer safe places.
But it does not have to be this way.
Our
office remains committed to prophetic advocacy regarding the implementation of common
sense gun laws that will 1) ban the sale of assault weapons 2) eliminate straw
purchases of guns 3) make gun trafficking a federal crime and 4) require
universal background checks for all gun purchases. As witnessed yesterday, we
are vulnerable in every facet of our lives. Even an armed and secure military
workplace, where military and civilian workers together seek to protect the
citizens of this country, is vulnerable to guns when they are in the wrong
hands.
Together,
we can make a difference and save thousands of lives. Call
on the President and Members of Congress today. Tell them to move forward with meaningful
legislation that will significantly reduce the plague of gun violence in this
nation.
I
urge you to take this issue seriously in your local communities. Gun violence
can be reduced if we possess the will to hold our elected officials accountable
to the common good.
In
the faith we share,
J.
Herbert Nelson, II
The Reverend J. Herbert Nelson, II, is the Director for Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), serving the Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC.
For the Spanish translation of this statement, please click here.
For the Spanish translation of this statement, please click here.
