Our Unitarian Universalist principles affirm the inherent worth of every human life. Gun violence in our country is a major factor in destroying lives and should be declared a public health issue. The USA is an extreme outlier among other high-income countries in gun homicides, gun suicides, horrific mass shootings and gun injuries. It is not just those who are killed who are the victims. The families, loved ones, friends, as well as witnesses and survivors can suffer the consequences for the rest of their lives.

We do not object to responsible gun ownership for personal protection or sport.

However, we as a congregation, cannot accept the status quo and “hope” as an antidote for the current unacceptable environment. Active shooter drills, turning our schools into fortresses, and vague suggestions about addressing mental health are not providing a solution. The easy availability of guns and military-style death weapons are a major contributor to this violence. Clearly, state-by-state weapon regulations have provided loopholes to any effective change.

Congregants are encouraged to petition legislators and work in all available forums, to include safety training programs as a mandatory condition for gun ownership and to require other actions, such as: increased mental health funding; background checks for ALL gun purchases, including private and gun show and online sales; government licensing before purchase; ban of the sale of high-capacity magazines; and, ban of the sale of automatic weapons.

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APPROVED by HVUUC Congregational Vote on

January 13, 2024.