At a well-attended event sponsored by the Interfaith Justice Committee of the Federated Church of Orleans and Am HaYam Havurah — “A Community Conversation: Firearms Violence – How Safe Are We?”— panelists relayed sobering statistics: In 2023 so far, more than 25,000 men, women and children have been victims of gun deaths, and more than 14,000 were suicides.

The Justice Committee believes that this reality far exceeds politics, and it is a matter for a response from communities of faith. During the program on August 6 (which is available to view on the church’s website or at https://youtube.com/live/N_oCQa0nZDw), three outstanding panelists spoke of measures undertaken to enhance safety in an era of gun violence, including legislative initiatives, local law enforcement, and mental health responses.

Everyone attending was challenged to commit to some action to further community well-being. Now, the Board of Directors of Nauset Interfaith Association urges members of its congregations to consider contacting legislators in support of this proposed bill before the Massachusetts legislature:
HD4420 – An Act Modernizing Firearms.

This is an omnibus bill containing many features that would be vital additions to Massachusetts’ already sensible gun regulations – without infringing on Second Amendment rights. It would:

— Direct State Police to conduct inspections of gun dealers

— Tighten regulations concerning assault-style weapons

— Establish a committee on community-based gun violence intervention

— Criminalize ghost guns, requiring all firearms to be serialized

— Expand who can file red flag petitions (re a person in crisis)

— Establish a committee on new gun safety technologies (smart guns,” etc.)

More details can be found at: malegislature.gov. Look under “Bills.”

Please consider taking this faithful action in response to gun violence: Urge our legislators to support this vital bill. Senator Julian Cyr Representative Sarah Peake (617) 722-1570, (617) 722-2040

julian.cyr@masenate.gov,  sarah.peake@mahouse.gov

Other legislator contact info can be found at malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator.

Note: As this bill progresses through the legislature, it may go through different versions and different numbering. However, advocating for “all features currently found in HD4420” will be clear to legislators.

The Interfaith Justice Committee would be glad to hear from those who take this step!

For more information, contact Rod MacDonald (rodmac.ret@gmail.com) or Jeff Spalter (jsspalter@aol.com).