Universal background checks are key first step toward reducing gun violence
Today, multi-faith leaders voiced their support and urged Representatives to pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8). Introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), this bill would implement universal background checks for all firearm purchases and transfers, with minimal exceptions. This bill would require unlicensed and private sellers, like those at gun shows and online, to use the same background check system. Universal background checks will help prevent people from acquiring guns who shouldn’t have them in the first place and help make our communities safer.
The faith leaders are members of the Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence (FUPGV), a diverse multi-faith coalition of over 50 faith-based organizations and denominations who are united by the call of our faiths to confront America’s gun violence epidemic.
FUPGV members stand united in their stance on implementing universal background checks for all gun purchases and transfers. The following are quotes from leaders in this group:
Rev. Paula Clayton Dempsey, Director of Partnership Relationships, Alliance of Baptists: “As people of faith, we are committed to a society where everyone can participate in everyday activities–like going to school, attending a concert, playing baseball or praying in our houses of worship–without the fear of violent death. Under current federal law, only licensed gun dealers are required to conduct a background-check before completing a gun sale. That means for about 22% of gun purchases, there is NO background-check. This is a gap that we must close! The facts are clear. First, over 80% of Americans in poll after poll support background checks. Second, background checks work. In 2017 alone, NICS prevented approximately 181,000 attempted gun purchases because the individual trying to buy the gun was prohibited from owning one. As people of faith we call upon Congress to protect all children of God by closing the background-check gap by passing H.R. 8.”
Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, Executive Director/Directora Ejecutiva, Bautistas por la Paz: “Background checks save lives. We thank those who have developed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and we strongly urge Congress to pass this legislation. It will keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, and thus make all of us safer.”
Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson, Executive Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation: “There are proven measures we can take to reduce gun-related deaths. We created standards for cars, toys, and aspirin. We even require candidates for barber licensure to pass a criminal background investigation and a medical test. We must eliminate the gap that allows domestic abusers and persons with a history of violence access to weapons far more deadly than a barber’s clippers. It is time to ensure that every person purchasing a gun has a universal background check.”
Patrick Carolan, Executive Director, Franciscan Action Network: “As Franciscans we keep the dignity and safety of human life and peace building at the top of our priorities. We cannot stay idle as people die every day at the hands of people who should not have guns. We commend congress for finally making a step forward. The bills in Congress are just the first national attempts in dealing with the humanitarian crises in our country caused by very easy access to guns and lack of laws to regulate the sale of arms. We need to gather the moral courage and act. The time to act is now let us seize it!”
Diane Randall, Executive Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation: “It is a moral imperative that we reduce gun violence in our country. We applaud the House for introducing H.R. 8 and finally taking action to make our communities safer. Universal background checks are a sound policy that is proven to help reduce gun violence and prevent people who shouldn’t have guns from acquiring them in the first place. H.R. 8 is common sense legislation that would help close the gaps in the current law and prevent unlicensed dealers from selling guns without a background check. We urge the House to pass this bill and the Senate to follow suit. It is unacceptable and unethical to not act as 96 people die every day in our country because of gun violence.”
Lori Weinstein, CEO, Jewish Women International: “The importance of strengthening federal background checks cannot be overstated. We live in a country besieged by persistent acts gun violence that threaten our children in their schools and in their streets, and threaten all in our places of work and our houses of worship. We cannot afford to lose another life because of a random act of violence that could have been prevented by stronger laws around background checks.”
Carol Zinn, SSJ, Executive Director, Leadership Conference of Women Religious: “Each day we grieve with families whose loved ones are victims of senseless gun violence. We promise our prayers and mourn their loss, yet we know that is not enough. Every life is a gift from God worthy of our respect and protection. It is long past time that Congress enacted sensible gun violence prevention legislation. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) will close the gaps in current law that allow some buyers and sellers to evade background checks that help to ensure that firearms are kept out of the hands of those who are prohibited from owning a gun, including domestic abusers and those with violent criminal histories. We urge the House to act on this important piece of bipartisan legislation that will reduce gun violence and protect the precious gift of life.”
Lawrence E. Couch, Director, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd: “Some things are not easy; some things will never change. But nothing changes without a first step – and in this case, an easy step. We may always have gun violence, but we can easily REDUCE gun violence by strengthening common sense background check laws. The House should pass H.R. 8 with strong bipartisan support and require a background check before every firearm sale.”
Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, Chair, Rabbinical Assembly Social Justice Commission: “It is time for our elected officials to take action and not just tell us that their thoughts and prayers are with us.”
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: “As Reform Jews, our tradition inspires us to support common sense safety regulations such as universal background checks on gun sales. Deuteronomy 22:8 instructs, ‘When you build a new house, you shall make a fence for your roof so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.’ When we fail to implement safeguards to prevent violence, we are liable for the consequences of their absence.
It is long past time for Congress to answer to the tremendous outcry of the American public, led by our students and young people, and pass legislation mandating universal background checks on gun sales. Gun violence in America is both alarmingly unprecedented and infuriatingly preventable. Our faiths’
shared commitment to protect all of God’s creations demands that we pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R.8) as just the first of many steps to end gun violence in America.”
Sandy Sorensen, Director, United Church of Christ Washington Office: “We are faced with a moral crisis as people of faith when our society accepts preventable gun violence on a daily basis and simply adapts to a culture of violence. We are heartened by the introduction of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, a reasonable, responsible approach to stemming the tide of gun violence in our country. This legislation would require background checks for gun sales and transfers in the United States to include unlicensed gun dealers, a critical gap in current law. It is a simple measure supported by the majority of the American public. Enough is enough. We have grieved those lost to gun violence and offered our prayers for healing and resilience. Now it is time to act, and we will act to hold our government leaders accountable for addressing gun violence in a meaningful way.”
Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society: “In the Bible, the prophet Micah presents God’s vision for society as a place where swords are turned into plowshares. Weapons of war, destruction, and death are turned into instruments of peace, provision, and welcome – and the transformation of society ensues. The United Methodist Church uplifts these words for ending gun violence in resolution #3428, ‘Our Call to End Gun Violence.’ The United Methodist Church calls on its congregations to advocate at local and national levels for laws that end gun violence, including legislation for universal background checks on all guns. As a bill that would take crucial steps towards addressing gun violence and close significant loopholes in current law, H.R. 8 is vital legislation working towards the reign of peace in the world.”
If you would like more information or have any questions, contact Andre Gobbo at [email protected]