USCCB committee chair expresses ‘deep disappointment’ at failure of gun legislation
April 22, 2013
The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development has expressed “deep disappointment in the Senate’s failure to support reasonable regulations to reduce gun violence in our nation.”
Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, set aside gun legislation following a 54-46 vote in favor of expanded background checks – six votes shy of the 60 needed under the Senate’s cloture rule.
“In the wake of tragic events such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, the failure to support even modest regulations on firearms is a failure in moral leadership to promote policies that protect and defend the common good,” said Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton in a letter to the Senate’s majority and minority leaders. “We are resolute in urging Congress to act and we support legislation that promotes a culture of life by reducing gun violence and saving lives.”
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Further information:
- Bishop Blaire Voices Disappointment At Senate Failure To Support Measures To Reduce Gun Violence (USCCB)
- Full text of letter (USCCB)
- Reid sets aside Senate gun legislation for now (CNN)
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Posted by: unum -
Apr. 22, 2013 10:27 PM ET USA
Why, Bishop, why? You are supposed to "teach as Jesus did", yet you give the faithful no clue about the moral issues and Church teaching on which you base your support of civil, political legislation. What is the Church teaching on which your remarks are based? Just as important, by your omission you appear to endorse the progressive Democrats' gun control agenda. Is your agenda Democrat politics or is it Church teaching? The laity would like to know.
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Posted by: Bernadette -
Apr. 22, 2013 7:53 PM ET USA
Bishops, please get out of the government, close down your USCCB offices in Washington, D.C. You know you are there for your special interests and lobbying. Go home to your dioceses and teach your people. Get with your priests. Be a father to them. Help them. Guide them. Take care of the poor and lonely and marginalized and suffering in your diocese. Leave governing of the nation in Washington and to politicians! Many of your people are really disgusted with your political directives.
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Apr. 22, 2013 6:56 PM ET USA
With all due respect to Bishop Blaire's position as a bishop, I am very suspect of his so called support on Harry Reid's gun control support. His ignorance of the 2nd Amendment is amazing. Also the bill proposed is over-reaching, confusing, and an attack on the Constitution. The Bishops want support for the 1st Amendment but not the 2nd. Supporting this government and its attacks on the our basic rights is stupid.
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Posted by: the.dymeks9646 -
Apr. 22, 2013 12:39 PM ET USA
I have "deep disappointment" in the arrogance and lack of awareness of the chairman of the USCCB. His egotistical attitude usurps the role of the laity to evangelize the Gospel with day to day prudential judgements, and he divides well minded Christians. His pride standeth between God and his flock.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Apr. 22, 2013 7:00 AM ET USA
How about teaching morality from the pulpit? If the bishops would spend more time doing religion and less time acting as a special interest group, maybe the hearts and minds of those in authority over angry or mentally unstable young adults would be able to turn them toward lives of virtue. Normally it takes about 5 minutes for a background check where I live. However, in a rifle purchase a few months ago it took more than an hour. We don't need more laws. We need more virtue and greater justice
