In the midst of the pandemic, gun sales are surging.
From Religion News Service comes a statement from Bishops United Against Gun Violence. The bishops highlight how sheltering in place can amplify the danger of guns at home, and ideas for mitigation.
The takeaway:
Just as you take care to protect yourself against infection in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we urge you to protect yourself and your loved ones from circumstances in which gun violence is likely to occur.
If you have a gun in your home, is it properly secured? If your child is visiting other homes, do you know whether a gun is present and whether it is secured?
Are you aware of someone forced to shelter with a potentially violent family member? What can you do to help this person stay safe? Do you know someone suffering from depression that might be heightened by the sense of powerlessness that affects us all during this pandemic? How can you help to ease this isolation?
As advocates, we remain committed to revising our country’s appallingly lax gun laws. We lament the current surge in gun purchases, and we urge you to join us in mitigating the violence that accompanies it through small but courageous acts of attention, compassion and concern.
Bishops United Against Gun Violence is a network of more than 100 Episcopal bishops.
All Content © 2017 Episcopal Café
Reminders to be responsible gun owners are fine, but once again, we have the EC using the Pandemic as a bootstrap for a political agenda that seeks to ban the private ownership of firearms. In many cities, violent crimes have decreased, not increased, but the longer the crisis continues, it is prudent to be concerned about the risks of robberies, riots and mayhem. Criminals are being released, unemployment is increasing, and police are diverted. Gun crimes are highest in gang-infested cities and poor neighborhoods, where gun laws have little effect.
As to the “alarmingly lax gun laws,” researchers at Boston University counted 109 California laws that in some way restrict “the manner and space in which firearms can be used.” They include restrictions on assault-style weapons, dealers and buyers, background checks, and possession bans for “high risk” individuals, yet parts of California have some of the highest violent crime rates in the nation. There is nothing demonic about maintaining emergency supplies of food and water, a generator, ammunition, and an emergency fund (per Dave Ramsey) which allows continued pledge payments and even a little extra for the pastor’s discretionary fund. In a society of takers, contributors and complainers, I doubt it will be the good Bishops who have to pay for the COVID-19 stimulus package.
With so many people wearing masks I am worried about armed robberies going up .