Whereas 96 Americans on average are killed a day
Whereas on a monthly average 50 women in America are killed by an intimate partner
Whereas Black Americans who are less than 14% of the population account for more than half of all gun deaths
Whereas gun-related deaths are the third leading cause of death for American children with over 2,700 children and teens (ages 0-19) being shot and killed and nearly 14,500 being shot and injured every year – that’s an average of 47 American children and teens shot every day
Whereas more than 2 million American children live in homes with unsecured guns
Whereas black children and teens are 14 times more likely than white children and teens to die by gun homicide
Whereas the Episcopal Divinity School at Union is committed to building a just earth where all persons —especially our children—regardless of race, creed, color, gender or sexual expression can live and thrive into the fullness of their created humanity without the fear of violence—with guns posing one of the greatest violent threats
We resolve to partner with organizations like Bishops United Against Gun Violence, Episcopal Peace Fellowship and Everytown to advance the following principles:
- Common sense gun laws at every level of government,
- Background checks on all gun sales,
- Call on the government to study the issue of gun violence as a health issue,
- Consistent actions to address gun violence where it occurs,
- Theological foundation for prevention of gun violence,
- Gun safety education and gun violence awareness in our theological institutions, seminaries, religious institutions and faith communities,
We invite the wider Church, including other theological institutions and seminaries, to join us in this national effort.
Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of EDS at Union