As local clergy and people of faith, we grieve the increasing loss of life due to gun violence. We pray as we hear police sirens with increasing frequency. In Cambridge, there were 22 shootings last year, resulting in 3 deaths. This was up from 2020 (15 shootings and 2 deaths), and up from 2019 (1 shooting, 1 death). We know that our country saw a dramatic increase in gun deaths over the last ten years, from around 30,000 to over 45,000 annually. More than half are suicides.
We support the initiative on community policing by Cambridge City Council. The new Gun Violence Reduction Group is made up of leaders in law enforcement, and education, health care, non-profits, and survivors of gun violence. Turning around the trend of violence is not just a police responsibility—everyone in the community needs to work together.
Maryland has banned assault weapons since 2013, which we support. We respect our hunting culture, but high-powered rifles are intended for war–not game. We have been horrified as these weapons have been turned against innocent people in places we considered safe: parades, schools, grocery stores, worship, concerts, neighborhood streets. No citizen should be armed with weapons of war. We have a right to feel safe in our communities; we want our children to grow up; we want our police not to be overpowered.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We pray, but we also need to act. We call on our leaders and all citizens to take action to stop the carnage of all who are so beloved by God.
Rev. Fred Beveridge
Addie Beveridge
Rege Butler
Rev. Keith Cornish
Rev. Katie Day
Pr. Nan Duerling
Barbara Hale
Arnold Hammann
Mary Handley
Rev. Kim Long
Rev. Tom Long
Dr. Donna Newcomer
Patrick Nugent
Susan Olson
Judy Prahl
Jim Sicks
Rev. Jerome Tilghman
Rev. Bob White
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