JUNE IS NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. Every day, more than 300 people are directly impacted by gun violence in the United States. Gun Violence Awareness Month was created to draw attention to this tragic reality and demand life-saving change. The St. Louis Archdiocese honors this month with a weekly series of bulletin articles.
From the St. Louis Archdiocesan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention:
Gun violence devastates individuals, families, and communities in the United States and the St. Louis Archdiocese. As Archbishop Rozanski has noted, “Gun violence is a human life — a quality of life — issue. Those who are threatened by gun violence are not living the fullest potential of their lives.”
More than 43,000 Americans are killed with guns, and approximately 76,000 more are shot and wounded. In Missouri, nearly 1,400 people die by guns every year. Missouri has the 4th highest rate of gun violence in the country.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is providing FREE gun safety locks. Contact any parish office or the Archdiocese at GVPTF@archstl.org to obtain one, no questions asked.
From the St. Louis Archdiocesan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention:
Wear Orange is a movement to honor victims and survivors of gun violence and to raise awareness of the impact of gun violence, which began in 2013 by friends of Hadiya Pendleton. Hadiya marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, she was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
Let us stand together in solidarity this weekend with many Americans who wear orange in tribute to more than 43,000 Americans killed with guns and 76,000 more shot and wounded each year. May our act of solidarity reflect Jesus’ words of “Peace be with you.”
Free gun locks have been provided by the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention. Ask the parish office if you would like one.
From the St. Louis Archdiocesan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention:
Guns are the leading cause of death for American children. In a typical year, 2500 children die by gun homicide, 1300 by firearm suicide, and 150 by unintentional shootings. In addition, 15,000 children are shot and wounded.
Today’s Gospel tells us, “At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned.” One way we can protect children who might be troubled is to lock our firearms and store ammunition separately to reduce unintentional shootings involving children and child suicides by firearms.
The Archdiocesan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has made free gun locks available at all parishes. Check with the parish office if you would like a lock.
From the St. Louis Archdiocesan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention:
Most people are surprised to learn that nearly 60% of all adult gun deaths are suicides by gun. The dynamics of suicide are complex, but research indicates that a combination of several risk factors is often present in the lead-up to suicide. One of those risk factors is access to lethal means of harm. Nearly 90% of suicide attempts with a firearm are fatal, compared to 5% of all other suicide attempts.
In today’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus encourages the disciples not to be afraid of speaking in the light. We, too, are called to bring light to our brothers and sisters in an attempt to reduce suicide by reaching out, letting them know that they are not alone, sitting with them in their desperation, and loving them. Using gun locks or securing firearms in a gun safe is an act of love that can reduce the risk of suicide by gun in an emotional, impulsive response to a stressful situation.
Check with the parish office if you would like a free gun lock.
If you are concerned that someone you know – or you yourself – may be considering suicide, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 support from trained counselors.
From the St. Louis Archdiocesan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention:
When it comes to gun violence, women in the United States are 28 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than women in peer high-income nations. Two in five female firearm homicide victims were killed by a current or former intimate partner. In other words, every 16 hours, a woman is shot dead by her current or former partner, an average of 70 women every month. Access to a gun makes it 5 times more likely that an abuser will kill his female victim.
As St. Paul notes in today’s second reading, we are called to live for God in Christ Jesus. In the St. Louis Archdiocese, St. Martha’s, one of the ministries of Catholic Charities, lives this call by providing shelter, resources, and compassionate care for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
