Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Linthicum Heights, Maryland from February 25-27, 2013 expresses profound sorrow at the epidemic of gun violence in our communities, and urges Episcopalians to work toward comprehensive social responses that seek to stem the cycles of violence that fuel gun crime; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council reaffirms General Convention Resolution 2000-D004 expressing “deep concern about the repeated use of easily available hand guns and assault weapons by and against children, and calls upon Episcopalians to seek ways to develop community strategies and create sanctuaries for our children, so that all may come to identify and value themselves and others as the precious children of God that they are, and that they may come to know peace in their lives and to create peace for future generations”; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council reaffirms General Convention Resolution 1991-D088 calling The Episcopal Church to advocate for “public policy and adequate funding to provide comprehensive community-based services, hospital care and research into the causes and treatment of mental illness”; and emphasizes that mental-health services should be available and accessible without stigma in a variety of settings, including those who have suffered trauma from exposure to violence or violent environments; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council supports public-policy initiatives, such as the bipartisan “Excellence in Mental Health Care Act” pending in the United States Congress that seek to allow community-based mental healthcare providers the same opportunities to access federal funding as are currently allowed to providers of physical healthcare; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council reaffirms General Convention Resolution 1997-C035 urging restrictions on the sale, ownership and use of firearms, particularly those that are easily concealable; and the enactment of tighter restrictions on the carrying of concealed weapons; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council reaffirms General Convention Resolution 2000-B007 acknowledging that violence in our communities is encouraged and enabled by the presence of guns and calling for Episcopalians to advocate for the removal of handguns and assault weapons from our homes, communities and vehicles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council urges our elected officials to enact a clear and effective statute making gun trafficking a federal crime and empower law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute straw purchasers, gun traffickers, and their entire criminal networks; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council urges Episcopalians to examine our own cultural attitudes toward violence through efforts in our own congregations and communities, to repent of our own roles in the glorification and trivialization of violence, and to commit ourselves to another way.