PCUSA division endorses moms opposing handguns
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, February 19, 2000
LOUISVILLE – The National Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has called on Presbyterian mothers to go to battle for tough laws on gun ownership.
The division’s oversight committee endorsed an event called Million Mom March which will be held on Mother’s Day in Washington, D.C.
The purpose of the March is to convince lawmakers to enact legislation that would require registration of all handguns and federally issued licenses to purchase additional handguns. Both measures are opposed by the National Rifle Association – as well as by a fair number of Presbyterians who protested the 1998 General Assembly’s call for Presbyterians to give up their handguns.
The Million Mom March was reviewed by the National Ministries Division Committee, where a word of caution came from a surprising source – Pat Brown, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Brown, who usually weighs in on the liberal side of issues, said, “In my own home, with a NRA member, there is some confusion as to what the church’s policy is.” She said she wanted to ensure that the Million Mother March policy conformed to General Assembly positions.
But Vernon Broyles, director of Social Ministries, expressed enthusiasm for handgun control. “No too many people go target shooting with a snub-nosed Smith & Wesson .38,” he said.
Eleanora Giddings Ivory, director of the Washington office of the PCUSA, said she believed the objectives stated by organizers of the Million Mom March were compatible with General Assembly positions.
One of the Million Mom March objectives – to limit handgun purchases to one per month person – has not been addressed by the General Assembly.
The organizing mothers have also called for:
- “Sensible ‘cooling off periods’ and background checks.
- “License handgun owners and register all handguns.”
- “Safety locks on all handguns.
Brown abstained from voting.