EDITOR:

U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops wrote to our U.S. senators and representatives on June 3, 2022, about the massacre of children and teachers in the grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Here’s what the Bishops said:

“For many years, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has supported a number of reasonable measures to address the problem of gun violence and continues to support efforts by the U.S. Congress to advance these policies in legislation. It should not be the case that in the United States, a person needs character references to apply for a job but not to purchase military-style assault weapons. We support a total ban on assault weapons and limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines. Data show that limitations on high-capacity magazines can reduce the number of people killed in mass shootings by as much as 38%, and those injured by as much as 77%. We also support measures that control the sale and use of firearms, such as universal background checks for all gun purchases. We ask that Congress pass a federal law to criminalize gun trafficking. This is of particular importance since the United States not only suffers from domestic gun violence but is a major international exporter of weapons. Finally, the USCCB also supports recent proposals to set a more appropriate minimum age for gun ownership, and to ban ‘bump stocks.'”

The Bishops further commented:

“Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood.”

Just so you know, on June 8, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, who takes NRA money, voted with the 202 fellow Republicans to do nothing. He voted against H.R. 7910. Protect Our Kids Act, which included many of the measures recommended by the US Catholic Conference of Bishops.

Mark C. Miller

Kingsford