Groups gather Monday to act on gun violence

Faith Action Network and the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility gathered over 40 regional interfaith leaders for a news conference at Seattle’s Town Hall Monday for the official launch of a campaign on universal background checks. There were many prominent faith leaders of our region present—Jewish, Sikh, Christian, Baha’i, Unitarian, Buddhist, Quaker, and more. Their message was one: It is time to resolutely face the moral challenge of doing everything in our power to stop the violence.

These interfaith leaders gathered last December at Seattle’s Temple De Hirsch Sinai before the start of the 2013 state legislative session. It was one week after the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 students and six teachers lost their lives. They called the state legislature to pass meaningful gun violence legislation in 2013. The legislature failed to pass the bill. As a result, one day after the official end of this year’s legislative session (Monday, April 29), they were joined by victims of gun violence, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and many others to challenge the legislature to do better in 2014.

The Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility (WAGR) will take an initiative to the State Legislature in the 2014 session calling for universal background checks. If the legislature does not pass that bill, WAGR will take it to a vote of the people, with a state initiative on the 2014 fall ballot.

Here are some comments made by the speakers:

Rev. Dr. Sandy Brown, First United Methodist Church, Seattle:

“Yesterday was the official end of the 2013 Washington State legislative session and we are here to ask our elected leaders why they have failed us. Less than a year ago, just a few feet from this building, Seattle’s Town Hall, a woman was pulled from her car and killed with a gun by the man responsible for the Cafe Racer shootings which ended with six dead. Killings continue to occur and we are obligated to respond.”

Cheryl Stumbo, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle shooting survivor:

“Trying to be the woman I was before that bullet ripped me open is an unachievable endeavor. I am not the same. I now have perspective on what is truly important in life. I now have perspective on the strength of resolve of the human spirit. I learned there is a call on my life to speak for what is right, even when I'm scared, especially when I'm scared. And most of all, I learned the healing power of overwhelming love and support from my family, friends and circles of community.”

The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason, Dean and Rector, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral

“Last December, over 40 Seattle interfaith leaders gathered at Temple De Hirsch Sinai here in Seattle to say preventing gun violence is not only a political matter; it is a solemn religious obligation. We emphasized then that the only appropriate religious response is sustained moral outrage and focused moral action until something meaningful is accomplished. We asked our elected officials then to put the welfare of our children and the safety of our citizens ahead of partisan concerns and to enact common sense gun violence preventative measures in 2013. They did not come through.”

Rev. Paul Benz, Faith Action Network Washington:

“Today we tell our Washington State legislators, thank you for passing House Bill 1612 requiring offenders convicted of firearms-related felonies to register and be added to a database of firearms felons. However, universal background checks did not pass. And another, which would have protected victims of domestic violence, did not pass. Legislators, you did not heed our call last December. You should have honored the legacy of the victims of gun violence and their families in our state, not because it would bring their loved ones back, but so that others might be spared their agony. But you did not, and we can no longer wait.”

Sheriff John Lovick, Snohomish County:

"For law enforcement, criminal background checks are essential in protecting lives and property. Closing loopholes in our existing laws is common sense and long overdue. Like many, I am disappointed that the legislature failed to take action on this issue—even in the face of overwhelming loss and public outcry to take action. I am excited for today’s announcement, and look forward to working with this coalition—and expanding this coalition—in the months ahead. I want to thank the faith leaders for speaking up at today’s event.”

--Faith Action Network (FAN), according to their website, "is a statewide interfaith advocacy 501(c)3 non-profit organization through which thousands of people and 60 congregations across Washington State partner for the common good. Together, we are a powerful voice of the faithful building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world."