Nuns Against Gun Violence believes that every life is of incalculable value.

Nuns Against Gun Violence believes that every life is of incalculable value. Each life lost to gun violence in any form affects not just the individuals lost, but their entire circle of relationships. Indeed, every act of gun violence tears at the fabric of the Beloved Community of life itself. While we do not issue a statement on every incident of gun violence as they are tragically too frequent, some incidents become catalysts for the national conversation on this crisis. The October 25th mass shooting with an assault weapon in Lewiston, Maine, is one such event.

The shooting in Lewiston was the 565th mass shooting this year and the deadliest one yet, with 18 people killed and 13 wounded, several still in critical condition. As with so many of these events, the weapon of choice was an assault-style rifle, a military-grade firearm designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. 

Following the recent announcement of Maine Representative Jared Golden (D-02) reversing his long-held opposition to an Assault Weapons Ban, we call on Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, as well as the other Congressional holdouts, to do so the same.  

In the House, five Democrats and all Republicans do not support HR 698, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023. In the Senate, four Democrats, two Independents, and forty-nine Republicans have yet to cosponsor the companion bill S 25.

You can check both your Representatives and Senators’ positions on the Assault Weapons Ban here, courtesy of Newtown Action Alliance or use this one-click Action Alert from the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas to send them a direct message based on their stance. 

As people of faith, we believe in prayer, understanding it is not an empty, pious slogan but a practice that compels action for the common good: Prayer that sustains us in the hard work of advocacy for local and federal gun legislation. Prayer that manifests in support for the healing of survivors. Prayer that enlightens the minds and stirs the hearts of recalcitrant legislators who have failed to act for too long. Prayer that aligns our energies with God’s desire for the safety, security, and flourishing of all life.