A Statement by ENGAGE: LUTHERANS FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, a work group of the St. Paul Area Synod of the ELCA.
On and on and on and on and on and . . . . Minnesota is now on the list of tears as another target of a discontented soul seeking release through the elimination of human life. We are numbed. We are angry, We are grieving. It feels like a crucifixion. Where is healing? How is healing? A way forward is through a HEALING DECLARATION.
COMFORT: In Isaiah 40:1, the prophet spoke to a people seeking release. He writes: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her.” Psalm 13 intones, “How long, O Lord . . . . must I bear pain in my soul?” Today, the people are the parents, friends, colleagues and all pained souls who need gentle comfort. Prayers. Hugs. Presence. Letters. Emails. Phone calls. We share a grief we only dimly fathom. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”
REFLECTION: We need to probe the deeper questions. What drove this young man to violence? What torment triggered his broken self so the only release was violence against children, adults and himself? Were there mental health and diversity issues? Isolation beyond hope? Hatred of self? Release only through death?
And broader questions. How was it possible for the shooter to have such easy access to weapons? Yes, he passed a background check which allowed him to purchase a handgun, shotgun and an AR-15. He was a legal gun owner. But legality is not a recipe for safety. By far, the United States is the most gun violent nation of all Western Developed Nations and other nations not fighting a war. The USA has more guns than people. How is it possible for a person of the right age to buy several guns at the same time? How is it possible for a person to purchase a semi-automatic weapon of war used by soldiers in battle? How is it possible for persons to purchase weapons and sell them illegally out of their car or home? How is gun purchasing akin to buying a candy bar? There are so many HOWs demanding answers.
ACTIONS: In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Jesus speaks, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled . . . . Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Jesus frees and calls us to action. What right ethical decisions can we undertake? Here are a few: 1) Pass laws that hold gun sellers and purchasers accountable. States and nations with strict and fair gun laws have fewer gun deaths; 2) Pass laws requiring the completion of a gun safety course before purchase; 3) Push for an assault weapons ban and a ban on high capacity magazines; 4) Require mandatory in-home safe storage of all weapons; 5) Provide accessible mental health counseling for all; 6) Since Minnesota has a Red Flag Law, take personal action to remove weapons from a person who may be inclined to use them against a spouse or children; 7) Contact your state and national representatives and senators and demand action.
GOING FORWARD: Jesus graces us, gives us the gifts of insights and power to understand, empathize, love and make for peace. We are created to live as brothers and sisters of all humanity. We are called to serve and make for peace and justice. What God gives in Christ empowers us to ENGAGE the truths and challenges of gun violence prevention. We are called. Let us obey. Let us COMFORT. Let us REFLECT. Let us ACT.