Plans are underway for a three day event on Martin Luther King’s birthday, January 15^th, through Saturday the 17^th, involving hundreds of church members gathering to learn about what they can do to prevent gun violence, and using the STOP format to energize the group to take action. More about this to follow as plans develop, but plan now to make your MLK volunteer activity this: COME and join us on January 17, even if only for an hour, and be a part of a city-wide, faith-based effort to make a change for safer streets.

Stateside:

Progress is being made every day, and this morning’s Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Pennsylvania House Bill 1845 passed both houses UNANIMOUSLY, stiffening the penalties for both shooting at police officers and for committing crimes with guns obtained in straw purchases. You can read about this in our Press Coverage section.

Although this is a small step, it is a step in the right direction, and that is a good thing.

Out of State:

Four representatives from the STOP group attended a three day Colloquium in Stony Point, New York last month, and not only presented our STOP program to the conference, but also learned about what other individuals and groups are doing to curb gun violence in their area. There were workshops on everything from learning about the manufacture of more and more lethal handguns that penetrate even police vests, to the sale of guns to foreign countries, to the social effects of gun violence on our culture. It was a sobering experience, but also uplifting, as we met with so many concerned and enlightened people who are working hard to make our country, and our world, safer places to live.

Nationally:

Only 4 more weeks to Election Day: do you know where your candidates stand on hand gun control? If not, write them and ask. See our sample letter to candidates in the Action section.

Please send us your thoughts and suggestions so that we have a truly interactive site that will help you to obtain the materials you need to help STOP Gun Violence through Prayer, Education, and Action!

This month we are featuring a sample letter that requests active discussion of gun violence issues among our various candidates for office in November. Modify this letter to make it your own, then send to your local and national political candidates. A very small percentage of people actually do write to candidates, so you can be sure your letter will be noticed. E-mail this sample letter to your friends and colleagues as well, and be sure that your name and address appear on the envelope when you mail the letter.

Check back with us often, as we plan to keep this site filled with news items, upcoming events, tools for your use in building a safer society, and inspiration to continue this important work.