Unitarian Universalist Congregation Takes Stand Against Gun Violence

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF) is taking a stand against gun violence.

The church approved a congregational resolution to prevent gun related violence at its annual meeting June 8. 

The resolution calls on policy makers to strengthen laws on background checks and improve enforcement of existing gun laws, restrict access to large capacity ammunition feeders and firearms, reduce firearms access by individuals who are a danger to themselves and others, improve mental health services, properly fund gun safety research, shift gun-related violence liability to gun manufacturers and strengthen controls on carrying loaded weapons in public.

"The mass shootings at Newtown really brought the issue to a head for us. There are just too many deaths and injuries brought on by gun violence in this country - far more than other countries - and we felt we must take a stand," said Ron Giusti, one of the co-authors of the resolution.

Giusti said that one of the main principles of Unitarian Universalism is belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

"We have to stand up for every person's right to live without the threat of gun violence," he added.

UUCF’s Minister for Social Justice, Rev. Kären Rasmussen, said this resolution gives the congregation and partner organizations a larger voice in efforts to prevent gun violence.

“This gives us a platform to organize and witness publicly for the public health and safety of our families. We have a voice and numbers and we will be heard," Rasmussen said.

Read the complete resolution at www.uucf.org/preventing-gun-violence.

For more information about UUCF and other Northern Virginia organizations working to prevent gun violence, contact the Oakton-Fairfax Alliance Against Gun Violence at ofaagv@yahoo.com.