The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:
In the third paragraph add the word "annually" at the end of the fourth sentence and substitute "more than" for "approximately"so that the text reads as follows:
Working as an instrument ... In the United States,
approximately more than 30,000 men, women, and children
are shot to death in homicides, suicides and accidents annually...
In the sixth paragraph which begins "We do not believe" delete the first sentence so that the text reads as follows:
We do not believe there is any constitutional personal right to bear
arms. Although there is vigorous debate over the meaning of the Second
Amendment to the Constitution, which speaks to the right to keep and bear arms,
the United States Supreme Court and lower federal courts have held that the
private ownership of guns is not protected by the Second Amendment.
Correct the spelling of "devices: in the section labeled "5", so the text will read:
5. Supports the outlawing of the production and sales of automatic weapon
conversion kits as well as the production of guns that cannot be detected by
traditionally used metal detection devises devices.
In the section labeled "7" delete the words "media and" in the first sentence, and insert "print, broadcasting and electronic media as well as the: and place a period after "usage to children" and delete the rest of that section so that it will read:
7. Calls upon the media and print, broadcasting and
electronic media as well as the entertainment industry to refrain from
promoting gun usage to children. in such magazines as Boys Life,
Guns and Ammo, Guns, The American Rifleman and many others. We also
discourage the graphic depiction and glorification of violence by the
entertainment industry.
Renumber "8" and "9" and insert the following as number "8" and also add numbers "11" and "12", so the text reads as follows:
8.Discourages the graphic depiction and glorification of violence by the entertainment industry, which greatly influences our society, and recommends that these issues be addressed through education and consciousness raising.
8. 9.Calls on all United Methodists who are members of
gun clubs and associations to use their influence to help expand gun education
and safety programs. These individuals should also enter into dialogue with
their clubs and associations to establish responsible and safe gun regulations,
and to build a safer and less violent society.
9. 10.Calls for all church properties and facilities
to be designated as "No Gun Zones" and prohibit guns from being carried onto
the premises.
11. Calls upon the federal and state governments to provide significant assistance to victims of gun violence and their families.
12.Recommends that annual conferences make visible public witness to the sin of gun violence and to the hope of community healing.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Calendar Item Text: 1676-R5041996 United Methodist General Conference