The North Carolina Council of Churches is the primary convener of the N.C. Gun Violence Prevention Coalition. With our partners at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCAGV), MomsRising, Moms Demand Action, and a host of faith communities and concerned individuals, we strive to tell the truth about gun violence in this country.
Overview
Several times in the past couple of decades, the North Carolina Council of Churches has spoken out about the proliferation of guns and gun violence. The way of Christ is a way of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love for enemies. The spirit of Christ is sharply opposed to the spirit of violence and the instruments of violence. It is also opposed to the law of retaliation or responding to injury with injury. Christ rejected the use of violence in the pursuit of his mission.
The North Carolina Council of Churches has adopted several policy statements since the 1960s calling for restrictions on gun ownership, tightening regulation of gun dealers, requiring safe storage for guns, and banning the sale and possession of assault weapons. We continue to work towards a safer North Carolina by educating the public about gun violence and advocating for positive gun violence prevention legislation.
Council Resources
2022 Legislative Bulletin: Gun Violence Prevention
The North Carolina Council of Churches has spoken out about the proliferation of guns and gun violence for the last several decades. Check out our updated legislative bulletin that outlines why gun violence prevention is an issue of faith, what scripture tells us, facts about gun violence in our nation and state, and what actions need to be taken to prevent gun violence in the future.
Denominational Members’ Resources
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Mennonite Church USA
Presbyterian Church, USA
NC Fellowship of Friends
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
More Faith-Based Resources
- Baptist Peace Fellowship/Bautistas por la Paz, Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit
- Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Worship Guide
- Dominican Sisters of Peace (Catholic religious order)
- Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence
- National Council of Churches, Resolution and Call to Action
- Rabbis Against Gun Violence, Stand Up Shabbat Resource Packet
- Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Washington National Cathedral, Gun Violence Prevention Toolkit
Educational Resources
- NC SAFE website about safe firearm storage
- Annual Gun Law Scorecard
- Center for American Progress Action Fund Gun Violence Prevention Resources
- Gun Safety in North Carolina; A Discussion Guide
- Gun Violence: The Impact on Public Health
- Healing Communities in Crisis: Lifesaving Solutions to the Urban Gun Violence Epidemic by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the PICO National Network
- How to Reduce Shootings, The New York Times
- Know the Laws: North Carolina
- The Landscape of Gun Deaths in North Carolina
- TSA Air Travel Safety Guide: understand how to legally and safely travel with firearms
- Learn what it takes to keep America Safe
- Mom’s Demand Action: Responsible Gun Storage
- Nonfiction Storytelling on Gun Violence in the United States by the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program
- North Carolina State Law Summary
- Want to fix gun violence in America?
Gun Violence Prevention Statements
The Council takes positions on issues through policy statements that inform, guide, and frame our work. Policy statements are adopted by our governing body, often upon the recommendation of one or more of the Council’s program committees which are made up of representatives of our member bodies.
- Children and Gun Violence (10/28/1998)
Gun Violence Prevention Partner Organizations
Below is a list of our partners statewide with a link to their website for more information:
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People
Mom’s Demand Action, NC Chapter
MomsRising
North Carolinians Against Gun Violence
NC Safe
NC Justice Center
Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham
Ways to Take Action
Tell your lawmaker: Vote NO on two dangerous gun bills!
Tell your lawmaker to vote NO on HB 50-Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal and HB 49-Protect Religious Meeting places.
HB 50 would do away with the requirement that everyone who buys a handgun must pass a background check, no matter where they buy the handgun – even at a gun show or online. We know based on other states that doing away with the Pistol Purchase Permit (PPP) system will cause more firearm homicide and suicide – like it did in Missouri, where gun homicides and suicides increased in the years after they repealed a similar law.
HB 49 would allow concealed carry of firearms in religious places of worship with associated schools on their property.
Click here to send your NC Representative a letter!
Tell Congress to act to end gun violence
Send a Letter to the Editor of your local paper
Help us make some noise that will carry all the way to Congress and the NC General Assembly by writing a Letter to the Editor that urges lawmakers to support commonsense gun laws.
Share how gun violence has impacted you
Your personal story and your experience matter. Lawmakers often gather data on bills they’re proposing or preparing to vote on. What they don’t have (yet) but sorely need are your personal, real-life stories that bring a deeper understanding of the impact of these laws.
Host a film screening
Key Contact
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
