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Interfaith group pledges to "not stand idly by," urges gun-violence reduction covenant

Rep. Donald Payne Jr. speaks to interfaith assembly about gun-violence reduction
By: 
Nina Nicholson

Speaking to more than 200 members of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh congregations from around northern New Jersey, Bishop Mark Beckwith said, "...never in my 34 years [of ordained ministry] have I seen an issue that's surfaced so quickly and so urgently, ...that's galvanized people in such a powerful way," as the issue of gun violence.

The interfaith group assembled at Christ Church in East Orange on Sunday, April 14 to support a national effort to negotiate a multi-party covenant to reduce gun violence in America.

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., of New Jersey's 10th District, and the mayors of East Orange, Montclair and Mahwah attended the event, sponsored by New Jersey Together, an affiliate of the nation's first and largest citizens' organizing network, the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).

Over the last month, New Jersey Together and IAF affiliates in other states have initiated discussions with gun retailers, mayors, police chiefs, governors and members of Congress to discuss the outlines of a proposed covenant. Called Do Not Stand Idly By – a reference to the scriptural passage in Leviticus that calls us to "not stand idly by while the blood of thy neighbor is shed" – the proposal calls for practical, sustained action from leaders in all sectors:

  • Leaders of religious institutions.
  • CEO's and owners of companies that make, distribute and sell firearms and ammunition.
  • Executive-branch leaders of government at all levels – mayors, governors, and the President.
  • Police chiefs and heads of state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as law enforcement officers.
  • Members of Congress and state legislators.

"If we're serious about saving some of the 30,000 American lives lost every year to gun violence," said Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, co-chairperson of NJ Together and rabbi of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom synagogue in Mahwah, "we can't just leave the problem to our most dysfunctional institution," referring to Congress.

"It is within the power of each one of these leaders to act, to make a meaningful difference – regardless of what Congress does or doesn't do in the coming days," said the Rev. Joseph Harmon of Christ Church, East Orange.

Rev. Harmon reported on efforts to engage Congressmen Scott Garrett (5th District), Bill Pascrell (9th District) and Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (11th District) in supporting the covenant's four goals:

  1. Strengthening the federal background check system.
  2. Strengthening laws against straw purchases and gun trafficking.
  3. Restricting gun purchases to one gun per person per month.
  4. Restricting magazine sizes to a maximum of 10 bullets.

After reporting that all three congressmen had either declined to support these goals or to state a position, and had also declined to attend the gathering or to send a representative, Harmon introduced Congressman Payne, who stood and stated, to applause, that he supported all four of the covenant's goals.

In addition to Bishop Beckwith and Rev. Harmon, other Diocese of Newark clergy present were the Rev. Canon Gregory Jacobs, Canon to the Ordinary; the Rev. Brent Bates of Grace Church in Newark; the Rev. Janet Broderick of St. Peter's Church in Morristown; the Rev. Peter De Franco of St. Peter's Church in Clifton; the Rev. Julian Eibin of St. John's Church in Ramsey; and Deacon Diane Riley of the diocesan Justice Board. Numerous lay members of congregations across the diocese also attended.

Attendees also heard a report from a delegation of NJ Together leaders who visited local gun stores last month to learn about their operations and initiate discussions with store management.

"We, the taxpayers, are the biggest customers of the gun industry," said Reverend Douglas Maven, pastor of First AME Zion Church in Paterson. "We buy forty percent of all guns in America to equip our police officers and soldiers. Shouldn't we ask the companies we buy from to be full partners in efforts to reduce gun violence?"

The Sunday gathering was the start of a 60-day campaign by NJ Together leaders to expand the group's outreach to other key players and to get initial responses on the proposed covenant. "By June," Rabbi Mosbacher said, "we will be able to answer some key questions: Who are our allies? Which leaders, and which companies, share our sense of responsibility and urgency to tackle this problem? Who is willing to take on the hard work of being part of the solution to gun violence in America, and who is not?"

Bishop Beckwith told the assembly he would take the covenant to the Diocese of Newark and the Episcopal House of Bishops and "do all that I can to enact it in New Jersey and beyond," adding, "we're a voice, we can offer action, we can do something to make a difference, and we have to be involved in that process."

For more information or to join in this effort, please contact Joe Morris, NJ Together Lead Organizer, at joemorris03@gmail.com.