Once again, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities grieve another senseless gun attack, this in Uvalde, Texas. This attack, the second mass shooting in our country in 10 days, took the lives of 19 children and two adults. It left families, friends and a nation heartbroken. The children who survived the attack will never forget what they heard and saw on that horrible day.
The attack on Robb Elementary School was not the first school shooting this year. In 2022, there have been 27 school shootings with injuries or deaths.
We are praying for everyone affected by this horrendous act. We are praying for our country that remains divided over solutions to this epidemic of gun violence. We are women of peace and justice, but we also recognize that we need action along with prayers. We also understand that this is a complex issue that cannot be solved just with gun bans or addressing mental health. It is not an either/or solution but one that requires a both/and approach. Therefore, we call for Congress to pass legislation that:
- Bans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
- Requires universal background checks for all gun sales
- Funds research on effective methods for preventing gun violence
- Provides funding to address mental health issues
There are actions that we as individuals can take:
- Pray: For all those affected by gun violence. Find prayers here.
- Call: Your senators and ask that they immediately work on bipartisan legislation addressing the issues listed above. Contact your senators here.
- Join: A local organization that advocates against gun violence or supports gun violence victims. Everytown for Gun Safety is an excellent place to start.
- Wear Orange: On June 3-5, wear orange to honor the victims and survivors of gun violence.
