NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Gun Violence Prevention

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

Educational Resources

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.

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 Justice Center

Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham

Ways to Take Action

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

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Jennifer is a native of South Carolina and an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. She loves South Carolina, but has managed to spend all but ten years of her adult life in North Carolina. Those ten years were spent pastoring United Methodist churches across the Upstate. She attended Duke University several times and in the process earned a BA, double majoring in English and Religion, a Master of Divinity, a PhD in religion, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent 16 years as the United Methodist Chaplain at Duke University, where she also taught undergraduate and divinity school classes, served on committees and task forces, and attended lots of basketball games. She writes frequently for various publications when time permits and preaches regularly in congregations across North Carolina. Jennifer has two adult children, Nathan, who is a software developer in Durham, and Hannah, who is a digital marketing analyst in Charlotte. Jennifer is the overjoyed grandparent of Benjamin and Theodore.
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