Despite all the provocation, we have not, in recent times, been able to come to agreement on ending, or even diminishing, gun violence. Just recently, at the same time our Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy announced that gun violence was a public health crisis, the Supreme Court struck down a request to renew the ban on bump stocks which allows a semi-automatic gun to fire cartridges in rapid succession.
Earlier this month our former president was shot with an AR-15 assault rifle. That night, we heard people across political lines decrying gun violence. We are in agreement; this violence is not acceptable. Maybe this time, I hope, we can make the changes that are needed.
It is only by sheer luck that the former President turned his head at that precise moment and the assassination attempt was foiled. It could have been a completely disastrous situation. As it was, a man was killed protecting his family and two others were gravely wounded.
Driving home from vacation, I had long hours to grieve and reflect on this scourge of gun violence. The same question keeps coming up: “Is it possible to seize this moment, here in these months before the election, and work for a united decision to devote ourselves to the safety of the American public through sensible gun safety laws and rigorous defense of the laws we have?
There are 329 American gun deaths every day, whether they be from suicide, accidents, or intentional shootings. That’s 329 families broken-hearted by loss. Between 13-19% of gunshot victims die. (By contrast there are 37 automobile collision fatalities every day in the US and collisions result in less than 1% fatalities, unless drivers are impaired, in which case the rate rises to nearly 4%.)* Even when people don’t kill themselves or one another, shootings are nonetheless devastating to our bodies. They also traumatize the staff called to deal with these incidents, and the families who have to help the victims pick up their lives.
You’ve read my writings. You know I’m a visionary and a Peacemaker, not a strategist. While I have some straightforward ways to invite people onto their own Peacepaths, a movement to end gun violence requires quite a few strategists, quite a few doers, quite a few people willing to talk to their friends and neighbors, and quite a few more willing to envision Peace. Peace is Possible. Working together to enact sensible gun legislation is possible. What can we — each and every one of us — do to Pass Peace by supporting gun safety legislation before this next election?
Before you dismiss me as a wide-eyed optimist, remember, I grew up here in rural Pennsylvania. I know there are quite a few people who depend on hunting to feed themselves — and that we have a surplus of deer, which isn’t good for the species. I know that rodents and other critters can wreak havoc in fields. Some guns make a real difference in the standard of living of people in our valley and throughout our country. But some guns are simply guns of war, which have no place in our Valley or our homes. Let’s silence the shots of violence and hate and figure out how the bells of Peace can peal out, calling us to good sense gun legislation and becoming good neighbors.
I am always aware of you, Valley Dwellers. You are there in my daily life, hanging in the town pool, eating at local eateries, shopping at local stores, having a cone at one of the places around the valley. And there you are you politicians, clergy with your communities, and organizations supporting gun safety. I am coming to know you, brave medical folk and other first responders, bewailing the damage gunshot wounds do. I am far from being the only Peacemaker here. What do you think, my friends, how ready are you to stop this unnecessary violence? How committed are you to keeping our school children safe, to prevent random acts of violence in our places of worship and our favorite local gathering places? I believe we can. I believe in us. I believe in Peace.
There are many groups around locally and many other ways to participate in the move towards reducing gun violence — to name just a few: Citizens for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, United against Gun Violence, Giffords.
Salaam, Shalom, Peace, Blessed Be.
*These statistics come from a variety of governmental sites.