Episode 11: What Can Be Done to Prevent Gun Violence? - a podcast by Geoff Browning

As I write this, another mass shooting has occurred in Nashville, TN. Three children and three adults were gunned down. In this episode we will be talking about guns, gun violence and most importantly, gun violence prevention. This episode was recorded on March 8th of 2023 and already, less than 3 months into the year, there have already been more than 100 mass shootings in our country. 

Statistics on gun violence seem to only go in one direction, up. For context, here are a few statistics to help us all understand the magnitude of this problem:

Children in the US are 12 times more likely to die from firearms than children in the next 25 industrialized nations combined.

In 2021, gun violence killed 48,830 people in the U.S., a nearly 8% increase from 2020's record-breaking magnitude of firearm deaths. Among those killed by gun violence in 2021, 2,571 were children (aged 0-17) – a 12.7% increase over the previous year.

Firearm Suicide Deaths Increased by 8.4%

Firearm Homicide Deaths Increased by 8.1%, 

 

These statistics are shocking and disheartening. And what is even more infuriating is that most citizens across the political spectrum want to see sensible gun laws put in place, but our politicians don’t have the courage to legislate them into law. So, in light of this often disheartening news, I have two guests with me today to help us understand the spiritual and practical steps that they are using to empower communities and people and begin to make our communities safer for everyone.

Be sure to check out our Benders of the Arc website for more information.

 

My guests are The Rev. Deanna Hollas and The Rev. Erik Swanson.

The Rev. Deanna Hollas is the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry Coordinator with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and a founding member of the Everytown for Gun Safety Interfaith Advisory Council. In her role with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Rev. Hollas empowers and equips individuals and congregations across the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination to embody Jesus’s call to love God and love neighbor by being informed and active in the prevention of gun violence. She holds a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology as well as a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary.

The Reverend Eric Swanson has been the pastor at Westhope Presbyterian Church for the last 17 years, transforming it into an active contemplative community.  The mass shooting in Las Vegas spurred Erik to begin working on firearm safety at the local and state levels. He’s worked together with religious leaders from different faith communities to work to end this national tragedy.

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