A Call to Action on Gun Control

Local residents were shaken this week after the murder of 49 innocent people on June 12th at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Many expressed a desire to do more than mourn these victims of gun violence and are looking for ways to advocate for a change in our country's gun laws.

Following the tragedy community leaders expressed their sorrow and outrage at the continuing gun violence in the country. The Interfaith Coalition Against Gun Violence (ICAGV), a group that was formed after the shootings in Newtown, CT, announced that they will hold a community-wide vigil at the Scarsdale Congregational Church, at 1 Heathcote Road on Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m.,, in memory of the victims of the Orlando shooting. They invite all Westchester residents, whether religious or not, to an ecumenical service of prayer, song, and words of hope and love. For more information, call (914) 723-2111.

Congressmen Eliot Engel, Scarsdale Synagogue's Rabbi Jeffrey Brown and Cantor Chanin Becker, and Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Leah Gunn Barret all shared their thoughts in emails to the community.

Congressman Engel advocated for sweeping changes to our country's gun laws and urged Congress to pass legislation to require background checks and limit gun trafficking. "It is long past time for the House Republicans to join Democrats and pass commonsense gun safety rules. We can have universal background checks that prevent domestic abusers and suspected terrorists from buying guns. We can stop the trafficking of weapons into our communities. And we can put an end to the free and easy availability of weapons of war designed only for one thing—killing people—without losing sight of the intent of the Second Amendment."

Engel encouraged his constituents to do more than keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers. He said, "As a nation, we must recognize that this terrible tragedy reflects three things: the worst mass shooting in American history, the deadliest terror attack on American soil since 9/11, and the most horrific single hate crime ever committed against the American LGBT community. It reminds us that the fight for LGBT equality is far from over. It reminds us that there are still those in this world fueled by hate and intolerance. And it reminds us that as Americans it is our duty to stand together in the face of that hatred, united as one nation, one people. We as Americans mourn any horrific loss of life, regardless creed, color, or sexual orientation. It's what makes us who we are".

Leah Gunn Barret, the Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), called for restrictions on gun sales. Barrett said the shooting was a hate crime committed by an American-born male who was armed legally with a AR-15, which is an assault rifle designed by the military for the military. "We make it far too easy for angry, hate-filled individuals to legally obtain these highly lethal weapons that were designed to kill as many humans as quickly and efficiently as possible on the battlefield. Yet they have been used time after time to slaughter Americans in our schools, houses of worship, movie theaters, malls and nightclubs. Any shooting, whether it is deemed a mass shooting or not, is an act of terrorism to the person being shot, to their friends and family, and to their communities. When will we learn that motive is moot? It's the means that we need to restrict". Barret expressed her dismay about the country's failure to pass laws banning the sale of guns and ammunition and asked the public to act now. "We are sick and tired of writing these statements. This time, let's channel our anger to demand that our leaders immediately renew and strengthen the 1994 ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines that expired in 2004, and impose background checks on all firearms purchasers, including those on the Terrorist Watch List. Contact your legislators today."

In an email with the subject line, "Our Hearts Are Broken," Rabbi Jeffrey Brown and Cantor Chanin Becker of Scarsdale Synagogue noted that at the time of the shooting, the synagogue was studying torah for Shavout. "While some in our world might be consumed by hate, discrimination, and violence - Judaism propels us toward study, diversity, and peace". The Rabbis also commented on the timing of the attack on the gay community which occurred during Gay Pride month. "The fact that such devastation targeted a club popular with the gay community and occurred during Gay Pride month reminds us that despite the strides made toward equality, there is much to be done to address ongoing homophobia that was for too long acceptable in this nation. The attack is also further proof, as if any were needed, of the imperative to end the culture of gun violence that grips the nation." The synagogue offered their sincerest condolences and support to the grieving community.

Beyond offering condolences many are searching for a way to help the victims and prevent the occurrence of more tragedies from gun violence. One way to act is to sign a petition that encourages Congress to reinstitute the federal ban on assault weapons from MoveOn.org. The preamble to the petition says, "While it is true that people kill people, and that guns do not shoot themselves, it is also true that mass execution would not be possible without such high capacity weapons. How many people have to die before we ban those weapons?" To add your name to the petition please click here.