We are tired of thoughts and prayers being used as excuses to do nothing. We are sick and tired and we have had enough,” said Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland Tune, NCC Chief Operating Officer, at a major rally at the US Capitol on June 8, 2022, where elected officials, faith leaders, activists, and survivors spoke to end gun violence. Members of the major gun violence prevention organizations and over 1,000 gun safety advocates were present to demand action on gun safety legislation.
“I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that prayer is an action word,” continued Dr. Copeland Tune. “So, it is long past time for Congress to turn their thoughts and prayers into action. For those of us gathered here today, we can pray for them. We can pray that they have courage but we can act to make sure that they vote for common sense gun legislation. We can pray for them to do more than they have been doing but if they don’t we can act and make sure they get voted out of office. Prayer and action go together and don’t let anybody tell you they don’t.”
The House of Representatives voted to pass a gun reform package, “Protecting Our Kids Act,” later that day, including raising the legal age to buy certain semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21 years of age and strengthening existing federal regulations on bump stocks and ghost guns.
Watch the rally video: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1lDxLLopPYkxm