A Conversation About Gun Violence Diocesan Convention Workshop

“A Conversation About Gun Violence” Diocesan Convention Workshop 2/4/16

RESOLUTION #4
 132 nd Diocesan Convention A Resolution Concerning Conversations about Gun Violence Whereas, as inheritors of Judeo-Christian teachings and people seeking to live out our faith, we call to mind the commandments “Choose life” (Deuteronomy 30: 10) and “Do violence to no one” (Luke 3: 14), And whereas we are shocked and saddened at the 30, 000 deaths which occur in America each year from gunshot wounds, and heartsick that annually approximately 3, 000 of those who die are children, And whereas we believe we are called to seek a way forward, in the midst of the crisis of gun violence in our cities, state and country, to achieve a diminishment of gun violence, And whereas we believe in the second amendment rights of citizens and do not feel addressing gun violence will hinder the rights of those citizens; We therefore call upon our federal, state, and city governments actively to pursue ways to keep guns away from persons who are irresponsible, mentally ill, or criminals, And we affirm our commitment to seek middle ground between those who disagree about this subject, calling upon each parish to name a representative to communicate with the congregation about opportunities for discussion and action.

OUR VISION God is calling us to work in concert with other faith communities in the Lower Cape Fear region to protect and affirm human life by reducing violence, especially gun violence, in our communities.

What Have We Learned So Far: Educate Yourself – data is not always what it seems

Some “Facts” About Guns and Gun Violence in America: 30, 000 Americans die every year from gun shot wounds, over 60% of those are suicides; hand guns account for the vast majority of these deaths; On average, annually more than 18, 000 children and teens are shot in America, approximately 3000 die 60, 000 Americans are injured each year from gun shots; There are over 300 million privately owned firearms in America; roughly one gun for every American; 60 to 70 million Americans own one or more firearm; On average, 66% of all homicides and 50% of all suicides involve a firearm;

90, 000 deaths 180, 000 injuries

WE ALL WANT A WORLD WITH LESS VIOLENCE , OR MORE REALISTICALLY, ONE WHERE FEWER INNOCENT PEOPLE DIE. IF GUNS AID OR HINDER THAT GOAL, WE WILL FIGURE THAT OUT BY HAVING A PROPER CONVERSATION, NOT A MUD-SLINGING CONTEST, REGARDLESS OF WHICH “SIDE” YOU ARE ON. Taurig Mossa “ Two Important Arguments from Both ‘Sides’ of the Gun Debate” @Bigthink. com

GROUND RULES TO LIVE BY: We are seeking to find a “middle ground” amid all of the divisive rhetoric this issue seems to bring out. Therefore: We come as Christians, seeking to engage one another and to “speak the truth in love. ” We will welcome and respect each other’s’ points of view, trying to hear the truth in what each of us is saying. We will listen and avoid side conversations and comments. We affirm that there are no bad questions, no dumb answers. OUR GOAL: Find places where we can agree and actions we can take.

What Have We Learned So Far: 1. Include All Sides – a broad group demographic is critical; 2. Learn to Listen- A difficult but critical skill; 3. Group Moderators Must be Neutral –we all need to bite our tongues at times; 4. Everyone Deserves to be in the Boat- but not necessarily pulling the same oar in the same direction nor at the same time;

Other Considerations: 1. Parish representatives must be able to “represent”; 2. The Group Will Morph and leadership will evolve – that’s Ok; 3. Use social media to advantage – helps get people connected; 4. Clergy Involvement – Support and visibility; 5. Find Common Ground and Hold IT;

So What To Do Next?

GOALS In the Diocese, Local Faith Communities, & Parishes we will: 1. Emphasize the value of human life and work to counter the culture of violence in our society; 2. Work to lessen polarization of views by improving communication among all interested parties in our community; 1. Advocate and work to help achieve an appropriate balance between gun rights and gun ownership responsibilities; 2. Work to strengthen and promote the family unit throughout our community; 3. Seek to educate ourselves and others on the issues surrounding gun violence, including relevant historic and cultural factors;

Wilmington “Faiths” Agenda for 2016: 1. Outreach into at-risk neighborhoods – how can we support you? ; 2. Continue organizing and sponsoring public events to raise awareness and expand the community dialogue; 3. Organize education and dialogue opportunities; 4. Alien with on-going community grass roots efforts focused on violence reduction; 5. Engage in local and state-level advocacy for responsible gun legislation; 6. Promote child gun safety;

Contact Information Don Arabian anndon@earthlink. net Jim Hanisian jim. hanisian@gmail. com Wilmington Faiths Against Gun Violence https: //www. facebook. com/groups/1661983137417674/

HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WE BE SILENT?

BACK UP SLIDES

What Have We Learned So Far: Educate Yourself – data is not always what it seems Include All Sides – group demographic is critical Learn to Listen- A difficult but critical skill Group Moderators Must be Neutral –learn to bite your tongue Everyone Deserves to be in the Boat- Until they self-select Out Parish representatives must be able to “represent” The Group Will Morph and leadership will evolve – that’s Ok Use social media to advantage – helps get people connected Clergy Involvement – Support and visibility

Restrict gun ownership Register all guns Ban assault rifles Universal background check “Stand your Ground” is vigilantism TRUST Gun ownership is a Constitutional right Permits/Registration lead to tyranny Takes guns out of the hands of good people Won’t stop criminals, inhibits legitimate enterprise The only way to stop a bad guy with a Gun is with a good guy with a gun

Our State, Our City and Gun Related Violence: In the past 3 years there have been more than 1280 reports of gun fire in Wilmington; on average shots are fired 1. 25 times each day; 15% of all crimes in Wilmington in 2014 were gun related; that’s over 400 separate crimes; North Carolina ranks 15 th for gun related crimes and 20 th in deaths due to firearms per 100, 000; North Carolina has the 20 th highest rate of crime gun export and ranked among the top ten states between 2006 -2009; North Carolina firearms crime stats for 2013: 70% of murders 50% of robberies 35% of aggravated assaults

Educating One Another August Team Meeting: Develop specific outreach opportunities and venues to promote: - a open, common sense dialogue; - a dialogue that finds balance between the concerns about 2 nd Amendment Rights and Gun Control; - a fact based dialogue that uses data judicially; - a dialogue that is respectful, patient, and honest - a dialogue that educates adults and youth on responsibility and safety as well as rights; - a dialogue that will evolve and improve understanding;

SOME RESOURCES Episcopal Bishops Against Gun Violence www. bishopsagainstgunviolence. org Newtown Action Alliance www. newtownaction. org Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence www. bradycampaign. org Everytown for Gun Safety www. everytown. org Mayors Against Illegal Guns www. everytown. org/mayors Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense www. momsdemandaction. org Faiths United Against Gun Violence www. faithsagainstgunviolence. org Americans for Responsible Solutions www. americansforresponsiblesolutions. org 2014 Kelly Report –Gun Violence in America www. robinkelly. house. gov Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence www. smartgunlaws. org North Carolinians Against Gun Violence www. ncgv. org American Coalition for Responsible Gun Ownership www. acrgo. com National Rifle Association (NRA) www. home. nra. org Gun Owners of America (GOA) www. gunowners. org Guns. com www. guns. com Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms www. ccrkba. org National Shooting Sports Foundation www. nssf. org Law Enforcement Alliance of America www. leaa. org