The North Carolina Council of Churches is the primary convener of the N.C. Gun Violence Prevention Coalition. With our partners at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCAGV), MomsRising, Moms Demand Action, and a host of faith communities and concerned individuals, we strive to tell the truth about gun violence in this country.
Several times in the past couple of decades, the North Carolina Council of Churches has spoken out about the proliferation of guns and gun violence. The way of Christ is a way of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love for enemies. The spirit of Christ is sharply opposed to the spirit of violence and the instruments of violence. It is also opposed to the law of retaliation or responding to injury with injury. Christ rejected the use of violence in the pursuit of his mission.
The North Carolina Council of Churches has adopted several policy statements since the 1960s calling for restrictions on gun ownership, tightening regulation of gun dealers, requiring safe storage for guns, and banning the sale and possession of assault weapons. We continue to work towards a safer North Carolina by educating the public about gun violence and advocating for positive gun violence prevention legislation.
Council Resources
2022 Legislative Bulletin: Gun Violence Prevention
Statement from the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
Denominational Members’ Resources
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Mennonite Church USA
Presbyterian Church, USA
NC Fellowship of Friends
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
More Faith-Based Resources
- Baptist Peace Fellowship/Bautistas por la Paz, Gun Violence Prevention Congregational Toolkit
- Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Worship Guide
- Dominican Sisters of Peace (Catholic religious order)
- Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence
- National Council of Churches, Resolution and Call to Action
- Rabbis Against Gun Violence, Stand Up Shabbat Resource Packet
- Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Washington National Cathedral, Gun Violence Prevention Toolkit
Educational Resources
- Annual Gun Law Scorecard
- Center for American Progress Action Fund Gun Violence Prevention Resources
- Gun Safety in North Carolina; A Discussion Guide
- Healing Communities in Crisis: Lifesaving Solutions to the Urban Gun Violence Epidemic by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the PICO National Network
- How to Reduce Shootings, The New York Times
- Know the Laws: North Carolina
- The Landscape of Gun Deaths in North Carolina
- Learn what it takes to keep America Safe
- Nonfiction Storytelling on Gun Violence in the United States by the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program
- North Carolina State Law Summary
- Want to fix gun violence in America?
The Council takes positions on issues through policy statements that inform, guide, and frame our work. Policy statements are adopted by our governing body, often upon the recommendation of one or more of the Council’s program committees which are made up of representatives of our member bodies.
- Children and Gun Violence (10/28/1998)
Below is a list of our partners statewide with a link to their website for more information:
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People
Moms Demand Action, NC Chapter
MomsRising
North Carolinians Against Gun Violence
NC Justice Center
Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham
- Tell Congress to act to end gun violence
- Send a Letter to the Editor of your local paper
- Share how gun violence has impacted you
- Host a film screening of:
Contact Person
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland
Executive Director
North Carolina Council of Churches
jennifer@ncchurches.org
(919) 828-6501 Ext. 101
