Episcopal Church Policies on Gun Safety and Gun Reform

“We stand together in hope. We stand together in faith. We stand together in love. We stand individually as ambassadors of hope, vessels of faith, and sentinels of love.  We stand as a community committed to making no peace with gun violence. We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to inflame and enkindle our lives, our churches, our communities, our cities, and our nation with a passion for lasting peace; through Jesus Christ the Author of Peace. Amen.”

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Far too often, our heads bow in prayer for those lost in the midst of senseless gun violence. In 2023, over eighteen thousand people died in the U.S. from either accidental or intentional gun use and over thirty-six thousand people were injured. In 2024 the number of deaths has surpassed twelve thousand. Isaiah 1:17 makes our call clear: “Learn to do right; seek justice.” For decades, the Church has called for gun reform and gun violence prevention.

In 1976, General Convention passed the first of numerous resolutions calling for gun reform. Between then and now, Convention would pass many more resolutions on topics ranging from stronger gun manufacturing regulations to a restriction on assault weapons and investments in community violence intervention. During this time, the Church has also passed several resolutions to address the intersection of gun violence with issues such as criminal justice reform, police reform, and access to mental health resources.

The formation of Bishops United Against Gun Violence in the mid-2000s marked a significant push for the Church’s public facing outreach. Over one hundred Bishops from throughout the country came together to serve their communities and promote Episcopal values such as safeguarding life and peace by working to end gun violence. Their ongoing efforts have carried them across the country and into the halls of Congress, coordinating with the Office of Government Relations on advocacy days in Washington. An 2018 General Convention resolution expressed support and gratitude for the bishops’ continued commitment to bear witness against the epidemic of gun violence.

The Office of Government Relations has advocated on Capitol Hill on gun reform and gun violence prevention and equips Episcopalians to engage and to carry out their own advocacy. The Office of Government Relations has published numerous gun reform action alerts, organized events, and provided resources for community-based advocacy, including providing resources to the first March for Our Lives rally. More recently, we commended the establishment of the first White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, supported crucial legislation like the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and formed alliances and coalitions with reform advocates.

The epidemic of gun violence remains one of the most devastating crises of our time. Its impact on communities is profound, and the number of lives lost is staggering. The Episcopal Church’s commitment to common sense gun reform has not changed. Through the combined advocacy of our office and the tireless work of our network, we believe in the power to put an end to this violence.