Paul A. Long
Pat Damer never thought it would happen to him or his family. But it happened. Twice.
His daughter was at Oxford High School on the day of the 2021 shooting that killed four students and injured seven. Her class barricaded themselves, armed with scissors and her textbooks. she survived.
A year later, another of Pat’s daughters was on the Michigan State University campus the night a shooter broke into two buildings, killing three students and injuring five. She survived too.
These experiences changed Pat, who now advocates for action against gun violence, especially with fellow Catholics.
more:Opinion: I was a police chief in Detroit. Congress must pass a police reform bill.
more:Opinion: Detroit’s Digital Divide Must Become Digital Equity
“I think what drew me further into the issue was the direct impact on my family and friends, especially my daughters,” Dahmer said. He currently serves on the Commission for Peace and Justice in his Catholic Diocese, which is working to raise awareness. Parishioners on Gun Violence.
Pat joins a growing list of people who are personally affected by gun violence. Whether it’s parents facing the unspeakable loss of a child or the mass shooting survivors themselves having to contend with fear and loss of peace, gun violence continues to affect an increasing number of lives. I’m here.
As violence and deaths continue to rise to record levels in this country, Americans remain divided on what to do about it. Many believe that more gun control is needed. Some people don’t.
The Catholic Church proposes a “yes, and…” approach to tackling gun reform. So, while recognizing that there are life-saving public policies that can help curb dangerous access to guns, we also recognize that there are broader and more systemic issues that fuel violence. This is the approach proposed in the latest edition of his FOCUS, a publication of the Michigan Catholic Conference that examines public policy through the lens of Catholic social education. Guided by the teachings of American bishops and the Universal Church, this publication seeks to clarify Catholic responses to the polarizing issue of gun violence.
Both the Michigan Conference and the American Catholic Bishops Conference have gun policies aimed at keeping gun ownership safe, including keeping weapons out of the hands of people who might harm themselves or others. is advocating. This is the basis for the Michigan Council’s support for gun control recently approved by the Michigan Legislature.
But Catholic bishops say policy changes and regulations alone won’t fully address the nationwide gun violence crisis.US bishops call attention to “mental health, family conditions, life values, and the impact of the entertainment and gaming industry” [and] “Bullying” is cited as a factor that must be addressed along with smart gun policies to truly bring about “broader social regeneration.” The MCC echoed this approach in its testimony on gun control in Michigan, both expressing its support for the policy and urging it to do so. Lawmakers are calling for more “in-depth dialogue on violence” in society.
It is this holistic approach that the Church seeks to bring to the table in a polarized environment where people insist that it should be so.
While the Church proposes that gun safety regulations are part of the dialogue, it is important to consider seriously all the factors that lead a person to use weapons to commit violence against others. It’s not the only part.
As June marks Gun Violence Awareness Month, let’s recognize the toll gun violence is taking on lives across the country and consider how each of us can contribute to building a more peaceful society.
Note: visit micatholic.org/gun violence See more details and policy discussion.
Paul A. Long is CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference.
