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Gun Control
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a
thirty year history of support for gun control legislation. Beginning
in the late 1960's, in response to the assassinations of public
leaders, the General Assembly called for ". . . control [of]
the sale and possession of fire arms of all kinds."1
In 1976, this statement was re-affirmed, but also specifically
worded to ". . .not cover shotguns and rifles used legitimately
by sportsmen. . .".2 In 1988,
these and other statements supporting gun control were again reaffirmed.
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A fuller statement was approved in 1990.
In it, the General Assembly went on record as:
Support[ing] gun control at federal,
state, and local levels as the most effective response to the
present crisis of gun violence. . .
Call[ing] upon the United States government
to establish meaningful and effective federal legislation to
regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, and possession
of guns and ammunition by the general public. Such legislation
should include provisions for the registration and licensing
of gun purchasers and owners, appropriate background investigations
and waiting periods prior to gun purchase, and regulation of
subsequent sale.
Urg[ing] the enactment of similar state
and local laws, should such federal legislation be delayed.
Call[ing] upon government agencies at
all levels to provide significant assistance to victims of gun
violence and their families.3
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In 1998, the General Assembly added
to its policy by calling on all Presbyterians to:
intentionally work toward removing handguns
and assault weapons from our homes and our communities; and
seek ways to develop community strategies
and create sanctuaries of safety for our children, so that all
of our children may come to identify and value themselves and
others as the precious children of the family of God that they
are, and that they may come to learn peace for their lives and
peace for this generation.4
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Endnotes:
1. Minutes of the 116th
General Assembly (1976), Presbyterian Church in the United States,
p. 103.
2. Minutes of the 128th
General Assembly (1988), Presbyterian Church in the United States,
p. 209.
3. Minutes
of the 202nd General Assembly (1990), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
pp. 605-606.
4.
Commissioners’ Resolution 98-19, 210th General
Assembly (1998), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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