Domestic Justice and Education Chairmen Urge Concrete
Actions to Address Scourge of Gun Violence
March 5, 2018
WASHINGTON—In the aftermath of the tragic attack at
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Bishop Frank J.
Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic
Justice and Human Development, and Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., of Youngstown,
Ohio, Chairman of the Committee on Catholic Education, urged national leaders
to finally come together and address the crisis of gun violence in a
comprehensive way.
The full statement follows:
“Once again, we
are confronted with grave evil, the murder of our dear children and those who
teach them. Our prayers continue for those who have died, and those suffering
with injuries and unimaginable grief. We also continue our decades-long
advocacy for common-sense gun measures as part of a comprehensive approach to
the reduction of violence in society and the protection of life.
Specifically, this
moment calls for an honest and practical dialogue around a series of concrete
proposals—not partisanship and overheated rhetoric. The idea of arming teachers
seems to raise more concerns than it addresses. Setting a more appropriate
minimum age for gun ownership, requiring universal background checks (as the
bishops have long advocated), and banning ‘bump stocks’ are concepts that
appear to offer more promise. We must explore ways to curb violent images and
experiences with which we inundate our youth, and ensure that law enforcement
have the necessary tools and incentives to identify troubled individuals and
get them help.
Most people with mental illness will never commit a violent act, but mental
illness has been a significant factor in some of these horrific attacks. We
must look to increase resources and seek earlier interventions.
For many years, the USCCB
has supported a federal ban on assault weapons, limitations
on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines, further
criminalizing gun trafficking, certain limitations on the purchase of handguns,
and safety measures such as locks that prevent children and anyone other than
the owner from using guns without permission.
The advocacy by
survivors of the Parkland shooting—and young people throughout our nation—is a
stark reminder that guns pose an enormous danger to the innocent when they fall
into the wrong hands. The voices of these advocates should ring in our ears as they
describe the peaceful future to which they aspire. We must always remember what
is at stake as we take actions to safeguard our communities and honor human
life. In the words of St. John, ‘let us love not in word or speech but in deed
and truth’ (1 Jn. 3:18).”
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Keywords: United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Committee on Domestic
Justice and Human Development, Bishop George V. Murry, Committee on Catholic
Education, gun violence, Parkland, Florida, high-capacity weapons, gun
trafficking, Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution, common good
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