Catholic Advocacy on Gun Violence

Measures to Address Gun Violence Supported by USCCB¹

• A total ban on assault weapons, which the USCCB supported when the ban passed in 1994 and when Congress failed to renew it in 2004.
• Measures that control the sale and use of firearms, such as universal background checks for all gun purchases.
• Limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines.
• A federal law to criminalize gun trafficking.
• Improved access to and increased resources for mental health care and earlier interventions.
• Regulations and limitations on the purchasing of handguns.
• Measures that make guns safer, such as locks that prevent children and anyone other than the owner from using the gun without permission and supervision.
• An honest assessment of the toll of violent images and experiences which inundate people, particularly youth.

Past MCC Advocacy to Address Gun Violence

• July 2022 Word from Lansing: Addressing Gun Violence is Complicated, But Must Include Gun Reform
• Supported previous version of introduced legislation to implement safe storage laws.
• Advocated for including nonpublic schools in state grants to improve school safety measures.
• Opposed legislation that would have eliminated all gun free zones in Michigan except for schools.
• Opposed legislation to allow open or concealed carry of firearms in places such as childcare centers, sports arenas, bars and taverns, hospitals, churches and church-owned properties.