Addressing Gun Violence

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WCC Resources

Download our Faith & Gun Violence Study Action Guide, the result of two years of faithful listening, cross+generational connection, and continuous commitment to the belief that that the Spirit calls us to action in multiple ways. It includes individual testimony to the impact of gun violence, guides to addressing gun violence through worship, single- or multi-session discussions, a list of action steps to consider, church security and safer church resources, and theological reflections.

Worship Resources

If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

God Not Guns Worship Guide (Brady Center)

Worship/Vigil/Action Resources for Times of Gun Violence from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

Lectionary on Gun Violence (North Carolina Council of Churches)

TV and Film for Reflection/Discussion

Addressing Gun Violence from Religious, not just political perspectives. Luther Seminary Lunchtime Conversation.

The Armor of Light. (PBS Independent Lens) – The Armor of Light follows the journey of Evangelical minister Rob Schenck, who is trying to find the courage to preach about the growing toll of gun violence in America, and Lucy McBath, the mother of an unarmed teenager who was murdered in Florida and whose story cast a spotlight on the state’s “Stand Your Ground” laws.

Safer Church Resources

FEMA Resources to Protect Your House of Worship

News Interview with Boston-area pastors following Texas shooting on their responses, training for ushers, ‘Welcoming & Watchful’ stance, commitment to welcoming the stranger. (interview with pastors begins about 2 minutes in and ends about 16 minutes in)

National Disaster Interfaith Network

Denominational Resources

Episcopal Bishops against gun violence: statistics with backup articles, liturgical resources, etc

Gun Violence, Gospel Values Study Guide (Presbyterian Church USA)

Overcoming Violence Study Guide (United Church of Christ)

Preventing Gun Violence Study Guide (Mennonite)

American Baptist Home Mission Societies Public Witness Statement on Gun Violence

A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence (ELCA)

Some articles of interest

Garry Wills, “Our Moloch” on The New York Review of Books December 15, 2012

Dr. Paul Silas Peterson, “Why Gun Violence calls for Religion in politics” Sojourners, 10/07/2015

Daniel Schultz, “Why the Church can’t stop gun violence” Religion Dispatches, December 3, 2015

Kate Shellnut, “A Top Reason for Church Shootings: Domestic Abuse” Christianity Today, November 7, 2017

Legislation

The following two measures are only some of the ways we can address the problem of gun violence while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners. There is more that can and must be done, but pressing for laws that have broad-based public support – like these – is a place to start.

ERPO – Extreme Risk Protection Orders (also called “Red Flag Laws”)
Often after a horrible act of violence, families say they saw warning signs – red flags – but there was nothing they could do. An Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) gives families and law enforcement officers a way to ask a judge to temporarily prohibit an at-risk person from possessing a gun. The ERPO is a non-criminal process that involves a court hearing, as well as clearly defined due process protections. Evidence shows that ERPO-like laws have reduced firearm suicide rates by 14% (Connecticut) and 7.5% (Indiana). Recent polling shows that the vast majority (81%) of Wisconsin residents support an ERPO law.

UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
In Wisconsin, federally licensed dealers are required to conduct a background check on all firearm sales, but private sellers are not. This private sale loophole allows just about anyone to sell a gun with no background check, no identification, and no questions asked. In the states that require background checks for all handgun sales, there are lower rates of gun violence across a variety of groups: 47% fewer women are fatally shot by intimate partners, 53% fewer law enforcement officers are fatally shot in the line of duty with guns that are not their own, and there are 47% fewer suicides by gun. Recent polling shows that the vast majority (80%) of Wisconsin voters, including gun owners, support a law requiring background checks on all gun sales.

ERPO and Background Check bills were introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature in 2021, but legislative leadership refused even to allow a vote. For more information on these bills click here. 

Contact our members of Congress – Learn about their positions on curbing gun violence and find contact information:
U.S. House of Representatives: 202-225-3121
U.S. Senate: 202-224-3121 
Call or send an email using the Wisconsin Council of Churches Advocacy Page
Contact our state legislators – State Senator and Assembly Representative
Visit the State Legislature webpage to find your legislators and see their webpages for their positions on curbing gun violence
Call or send an email using the Advocacy Page for the Wisconsin Council of Churches
Or call the Capitol switchboard: In Madison, (608) 266-9960; Toll-free, 1-800-362-9472.
Contact our mayors and other local officials – there may be little they can do through local government, but they may have access and influence with state and federal officials:
Find out who they are (find their contact information online or by calling directory assistance)
Write letters to the editor of our local news media
Short and to the point – around 200 words (check their specific guidelines)
Mention elected officials in your letter to get their attention
Register to vote – and vote!
Check registration, learn how to register online or in person, see upcoming ballots and more at myvote.wi.gov

Other Resources

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