[3-27-04]

Noting that some 11,000 people have died during the conflict in Iraq, Moderator Susan R. Andrews and Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick then remind us that some 28,000 people have died during the past year in the USA, as a result of gun violence.

They urge support of the Million Mom March to "Halt the Assault Weekend," May 8-10, in Washington, DC. And they reaffirm frequent policy statements by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in support of gun control.

Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

March 24, 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We have been at war in Iraq for a year now. Close to 11,000 Iraqis have been killed. Nearly 600 United States servicemen and women have died in the hostilities; another 3,000 have been injured. We ask you to join us in continued prayers for those who are impacted by war, those who are serving in the military, and those in positions of authority.

Over the past same year, we cannot help but notice that 28,000 Americans have died and 84,000  have been injured at the barrel of a gun here at home. Unfortunately, this is nothing new for us. We have lost 28,000 to 35,000 people to gun violence every year since the sixties. In fact, many more Americans have died from gun violence in our own land in peacetime than have been killed in all of our wars since 1775.

We are writing to you about this issue in general because of our ongoing concern that gun violence is claiming the lives of eighty people every day, of which ten percent are children and teens. We are also writing to you specifically because it appears that the U.S. Congress is planning to let the current ban on assault weapons expire this coming September without the issue coming to a vote.

Several groups across the country are rallying to ask Congress to renew the ban. One of them, the sponsor of the Million Mom March, is holding a Mother's Day "Halt the Assault Weekend," May 8-10, in Washington, DC. The march is not to take away anyone's hunting privileges or the opportunity to own a gun. The effort is to call on Congress to renew and strengthen the assault weapons ban; hold gun manufacturers accountable for their products; require background checks on all gun purchases; and incorporate safety standards into gun designs. For more information on the march, go to http://www.mmm2004.com/

Since 1968, Presbyterians have frequently spoken in favor of gun control through actions of General Assemblies. Most recently, the 212th General Assembly (2000) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaffirmed the church's commitment to gun control, citing the escalating crises of gun violence in our society taking place in schools, work places, childcare centers, and private homes. The resolution also called for the reissuing of previous study papers and for strengthening gun ownership legislation.

A compilation of public policy statements of the PC(USA) on gun control is available by calling 800-524-2612 and asking for PDS #72-620-02-706. Additional resources are available online at www.pcusa.org/criminaljustice.

Presbyterians believe that God made the world so that all God's children could learn the ways of peace and live in loving and peaceful communities. May it be so.

In the name of the Prince of Peace,

Susan R. Andrews
Moderator, 215th General Assembly (2003)