ELCA on record for gun control

The 1993 Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution on community violence calling for:

"Passage and strict enforcement of local, state and national legislation that rigidly controls manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, possession and transportation of handguns, assault weapons and assault-like weapons and their parts, excluding rifles and shotguns used for hunting and sporting purposes, for use other than law enforcement and military purposes."

A Message on Community Violence from the ELCA Church Council in 1994 includes these statements:

"In service of its commitment to counter violence, the ELCA ... also advocates in favor of gun control ....

"As we move toward a more comprehensive address of community violence, we join with other religious communities in anti-violence initiatives that:

• "Offer vital spiritual and moral resources for replacing fear and violence with hope and reconciliation in our homes, communities and nation.

• "Stem the proliferation of guns in our streets, schools and homes.

• "Counter the 'culture of violence' that pervades our national culture and media.

• "Build strong anti-violence coalitions in our neighborhoods and communities.

• "Develop peer mediation skills in the schools.

• "Protect our youth from the epidemic of violence through equitable law enforcements, and the promotion of education, social program, anti-drug programs and real job opportunities."