Does the Catholic Church have a position on gun control?

[Prodigal_Son1]

USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy

In their memory and for the sake of our nation, we reiterate our call made in 2000, in our statement, Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, for all Americans, especially legislators, to:

1.Support measures that control the sale and use of firearms

2.Support measures that make guns safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner)

3.Call for sensible regulations of handguns

4.Support legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons including assault weapons

5.Make a serious commitment to confront the pervasive role of addiction and mental illness in crime.

As we long for the arrival of the Prince of Peace in this Advent and Christmas season, we call on all people of goodwill to help bring about a culture of life and peace.

Below is from the blog of the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Dolan.

Advocating for Gun Control

Advocating for gun control is not something new for the Church. The Holy See has continuously been a strong voice in opposition to international arms trading, the world’s version of gun control; it’s even in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official teaching of the Catholic faith (see numbers 2315-2316 in particular) . Here in the United States, the bishops have for decades supported measures to get handguns off the streets, and to ban assault weapons. To cite but one instance, in Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration, released in 2000, the bishops reiterated their support for legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons. “As bishops, we support measures that control the sale and use of firearms and make them safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner), and we reiterate our call for sensible regulation of handguns.”

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I think you’re mistaken, again, and shouldn’t presume to speak for the USCCB.

I posted the links, with quotes. I’m quite comfortable letting the bishops speak for themselves, and with the authority vested in them through the committees they chair for the USCCB. Please read them and let me know if you think they are lying?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think you’re mistaken, again, and shouldn’t presume to speak for the USCCB.

And not just for three USCCB members who are committee heads. He purports to speak for the entire 500+ bishops in the U.S. who have never spoken on the subject of rifles with a military appearance or requiring me to do a background check on my own son before giving him a rifle at all. Never have they done it.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

And not just for three USCCB members who are committee heads. He purports to speak for the entire 500+ bishops in the U.S. who have never spoken on the subject of rifles with a military appearance or requiring me to do a background check on my own son before giving him a rifle at all. Never have they done it.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Are you going to provide the sources for this assertion? “That has been discussed by the bishops. They would like them banned.” You have not yet quoted any of them saying that. Please do so, giving a reliable source for it.

As to background checks in inter-family transfers, you can quote “the bishops” on that if you think they said that. You haven’t so far. Nor have you demonstrated that making me do a background check on my son before giving him a rifle will stop any crime.

And the civilian AR-15 is not an assault rifle. Assault rifles are fully automatic. You can’t buy a fully automatic weapon or even own one in the U.S. without a special license requiring a major FBI background check. You also have to consent to unannounced searches of your home at any time as a condition of having an automatic weapon.

I wouldn’t much doubt that most bishops, if not all, would oppose individuals having automatic weapons without those kinds of controls. But they’re already in place.

Semantics. What is the weapon shown by all that refer to the ‘assault weapon’ on the news? Why is the same language used by the bishops in response to the Newtown shooting, where an AR 15 was used against innocent children?

USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy

In their memory and for the sake of our nation, we reiterate our call made in 2000, in our statement, Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, for all Americans, especially legislators, to:

1.Support measures that control the sale and use of firearms

2.Support measures that make guns safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner)

3.Call for sensible regulations of handguns

4.Support legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons including assault weapons

5.Make a serious commitment to confront the pervasive role of addiction and mental illness in crime.

As we long for the arrival of the Prince of Peace in this Advent and Christmas season, we call on all people of goodwill to help bring about a culture of life and peace.

Below is from the blog of the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Dolan.

Advocating for Gun Control

Advocating for gun control is not something new for the Church. The Holy See has continuously been a strong voice in opposition to international arms trading, the world’s version of gun control; it’s even in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official teaching of the Catholic faith (see numbers 2315-2316 in particular) . Here in the United States, the bishops have for decades supported measures to get handguns off the streets, and to ban assault weapons. To cite but one instance, in Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration, released in 2000, the bishops reiterated their support for legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons. “As bishops, we support measures that control the sale and use of firearms and make them safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner), and we reiterate our call for sensible regulation of handguns.”

 

[Fairwinds]

I posted the links, with quotes. I’m quite comfortable letting the bishops speak for themselves, and with the authority vested in them through the committees they chair for the USCCB. Please read them and let me know if you think they are lying?

I think you’ve been beaten down on this and there’s no need to have you repeat failure.

don’t accuse me of calling the USCCB liars. I’ve been patient with your repeated insults, but there’s a limit.

 

[Brendan_64]

Why not? The US would have actually been even more dominate - imagine the power of the US without spending trillions upon trillions defending much of the free world.

So you think the USA’s position as the major world military super-power hasn’t resulted in a huge expansion of American interests abroad, resulting in a flow of cash back to the USA? Do you really think that the USA (or any nation for that matter) acts out of a sense of altruism? The wealth of the USA and it’s position as world’s dominant military super-power are intrinsically connected.

I would also argue that the term ‘free world’ is very misleading and used to imply that military action is somehow motivated by defending ‘freedom’. But that’s a discussion for another forum.

Interesting as this topic of conversation certainly is, we’re in danger now of getting ‘slapped’ by the mods for going off-topic.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I think you’ve been beaten down on this and there’s no need to have you repeat failure.

don’t accuse me of calling the USCCB liars. I’ve been patient with your repeated insults, but there’s a limit.

I am quoting the bishops stating things you have said I was false in saying. I think the next logical question would be, ‘do you think they are speaking falsely?’

There’s irony in your patience, especially in light of the posts directed at me.

 

[Fairwinds]

I am quo…es:

you’ve already lost that part of the debate, there’s no need to reopen it.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

you’ve already lost that part of the debate, there’s no need to reopen it.

It’s only lost on those who will not hear. The sad thing is, I’m quoting the authoritative men of the Church, and letting them speak for themselves.

USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy

In their memory and for the sake of our nation, we reiterate our call made in 2000, in our statement, Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, for all Americans, especially legislators, to:

1.Support measures that control the sale and use of firearms

2.Support measures that make guns safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner)

3.Call for sensible regulations of handguns

4.Support legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons including assault weapons

5.Make a serious commitment to confront the pervasive role of addiction and mental illness in crime.

As we long for the arrival of the Prince of Peace in this Advent and Christmas season, we call on all people of goodwill to help bring about a culture of life and peace.

Below is from the blog of the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Dolan.

Advocating for Gun Control

Advocating for gun control is not something new for the Church. The Holy See has continuously been a strong voice in opposition to international arms trading, the world’s version of gun control; it’s even in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official teaching of the Catholic faith (see numbers 2315-2316 in particular) . Here in the United States, the bishops have for decades supported measures to get handguns off the streets, and to ban assault weapons. To cite but one instance, in Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration, released in 2000, the bishops reiterated their support for legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons. “As bishops, we support measures that control the sale and use of firearms and make them safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner), and we reiterate our call for sensible regulation of handguns.”

 

[Ridgerunner]

I posted the links, with quotes. I’m quite comfortable letting the bishops speak for themselves, and with the authority vested in them through the committees they chair for the USCCB. Please read them and let me know if you think they are lying?

No one said they are lying. But Cdl Dolan left it up to the legislators. He said:

“I don’t pretend to be an expert on what should be in each specific bill, and I will never be an authority on the number of bullets that should be in an ammo clip, or the proper way to conduct background checks before selling someone a firearm. That’s the proper responsibility of our legislators, and, should constitutional questions arise, of our courts.”

He says he is not an expert, and clearly he isn’t. A true assault weapon was not used at Newtown, but an ordinary semi-automatic that superficially resembles one (along with two pistols). In supporting the first Cuomo gun bill, he obviously didn’t realize that it banned all police pistols.

He was right in not pretending to be an expert on what should be in each specific bill, or the number of bullets that should be in a clip or what kind of background checks there should be. That’s why he left it to the legislators and the courts.

The legislators tabled the Obama bill and the courts have said there is an individual right to bear arms.

Case closed.

 

[Fairwinds]

It’s only l…es.

I’m really not planning on indulging another endless cycle of your failed arguments. if you have something new, I’d be happy to engage, but, you’ve got to accept defeat.

 

[Meemai]

WASHINGTON—The chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed “deep disappointment in the Senate’s failure to support reasonable regulations to reduce gun violence in our nation” in an April 18 letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“The USCCB has been working with other faith leaders and organizations urging Congress to support legislation that builds a culture of life by promoting policies that reduce gun violence and save people’s lives in homes and communities throughout our nation,” wrote Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California. “In the wake of tragic events such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, the failure to support even modest regulations on firearms is a failure in moral leadership to promote policies which protect and defend the common good.”

The U.S. Senate failed to pass amendments to the Senate’s gun violence legislation (S. 649) that would have expanded background checks for gun purchases, increased penalties for gun trafficking, reinstituted an assault weapons ban and imposed restrictions on civilian access to high capacity ammunition magazines. Bishop Blaire noted that many of the provisions of the bill enjoyed bipartisan support.

“Though we are disappointed, we will continue our efforts to work with Congress and other people of good will to advocate for policies that create a safer and more peaceful society,” Bishop Blaire wrote.

 

[Meemai]

It’s only lost on those who will not hear. The sad thing is, I’m quoting the authoritative men of the Church, and letting them speak for themselves.

USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy

Below is from the blog of the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Dolan.

Advocating for Gun Control

They are blind on what the church wants. They are the kind of people that say ‘the church can’t decide for me on what to do.’

Lol I really dislike catholics like this.

 

[Gricken]

I honestly can’t believe some people were trying to quote the bible on the issue of gun regulation. It doesn’t support either side.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

No one said they are lying. But Cdl Dolan left it up to the legislators. He said:

“I don’t pretend to be an expert on what should be in each specific bill, and I will never be an authority on the number of bullets that should be in an ammo clip, or the proper way to conduct background checks before selling someone a firearm. That’s the proper responsibility of our legislators, and, should constitutional questions arise, of our courts.”

He says he is not an expert, and clearly he isn’t. A true assault weapon was not used at Newtown, but an ordinary semi-automatic that superficially resembles one (along with two pistols). In supporting the first Cuomo gun bill, he obviously didn’t realize that it banned all police pistols.

He was right in not pretending to be an expert on what should be in each specific bill, or the number of bullets that should be in a clip or what kind of background checks there should be. That’s why he left it to the legislators and the courts.

The legislators tabled the Obama bill and the courts have said there is an individual right to bear arms.

Case closed.

That’s not an answer to their call. Below is from the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
Is he not telling the truth of who he represents and that their efforts will continue?

On behalf of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
I write to express my deep disappointment in the Senate’s failure to support reasonable
regulations to reduce gun violence in our nation.

…

Though we are disappointed, we will continue our efforts to work with Congress and other people of good will to advocate for policies that create a safer and more peaceful society. We are resolute in urging Congress to act and we support legislation that promotes a culture of life by reducing gun violence and saving lives.

.
Cardinal Dolan called for action, not an action or inaction. He left the specific action to the legislators. It seems to be creative interpretation to try and say his call was met, especially after trying to argue these men spoke ‘prudential opinions.’

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I’m really not planning on indulging another endless cycle of your failed arguments. if you have something new, I’d be happy to engage, but, you’ve got to accept defeat.

I see the failure as yours brother. I’m sure we could find people to agree with each of us, depending on whether they accept the guidance from the bishops, or don’t.

USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy

In their memory and for the sake of our nation, we reiterate our call made in 2000, in our statement, Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, for all Americans, especially legislators, to:

1.Support measures that control the sale and use of firearms

2.Support measures that make guns safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner)

3.Call for sensible regulations of handguns

4.Support legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons including assault weapons

5.Make a serious commitment to confront the pervasive role of addiction and mental illness in crime.

As we long for the arrival of the Prince of Peace in this Advent and Christmas season, we call on all people of goodwill to help bring about a culture of life and peace.

Below is from the blog of the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Dolan.

Advocating for Gun Control

Advocating for gun control is not something new for the Church. The Holy See has continuously been a strong voice in opposition to international arms trading, the world’s version of gun control; it’s even in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official teaching of the Catholic faith (see numbers 2315-2316 in particular) . Here in the United States, the bishops have for decades supported measures to get handguns off the streets, and to ban assault weapons. To cite but one instance, in Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration, released in 2000, the bishops reiterated their support for legislative efforts that seek to protect society from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons. “As bishops, we support measures that control the sale and use of firearms and make them safer (especially efforts that prevent their unsupervised use by children and anyone other than the owner), and we reiterate our call for sensible regulation of handguns.”

 

[Ridgerunner]

WASHINGTON—The chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed “deep disappointment in the Senate’s failure to support reasonable regulations to reduce gun violence in our nation” in an April 18 letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“The USCCB has been working with other faith leaders and organizations urging Congress to support legislation that builds a culture of life by promoting policies that reduce gun violence and save people’s lives in homes and communities throughout our nation,” wrote Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California. “In the wake of tragic events such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, the failure to support even modest regulations on firearms is a failure in moral leadership to promote policies which protect and defend the common good.”

The U.S. Senate failed to pass amendments to the Senate’s gun violence legislation (S. 649) that would have expanded background checks for gun purchases, increased penalties for gun trafficking, reinstituted an assault weapons ban and imposed restrictions on civilian access to high capacity ammunition magazines. Bishop Blaire noted that many of the provisions of the bill enjoyed bipartisan support.

“Though we are disappointed, we will continue our efforts to work with Congress and other people of good will to advocate for policies that create a safer and more peaceful society,” Bishop Blaire wrote.

Bp Blaire is entitled to his opinion, as are you and as am I. But his opinions are in no way binding on me or any other Catholic.

Cardinal Dolan was satisfied to accept what the legislatures did. Obviously, Bp. Blaire is not. 500+ other bishops in the U.S. have expressed no opinion; something one would reasonably expect of them if they thought it an important moral issue.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Bp Blaire is entitled to his opinion, as are you and as am I. But his opinions are in no way binding on me or any other Catholic.

Cardinal Dolan was satisfied to accept what the legislatures did. Obviously, Bp. Blaire is not. 500+ other bishops in the U.S. have expressed no opinion; something one would reasonably expect of them if they thought it an important moral issue.

Changing gears again?

So it’s not true when Bishop Blaire says he speaks for the USCCB, even through an official letter to the legislators of the failed legislation? Wouldn’t that obligate an opposing bishop to speak up?

Where was that 500 bishop unity when you were saying Catholics had to vote for candidate “A”?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I see the failure as yours brother. I’m sure we could find people to agree with each of us, depending on whether they accept the guidance from the bishops, or don’t.

USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy

Below is from the blog of the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Dolan.

Advocating for Gun Control

Assault weapons are not banned in the U.S., but their possession is very strictly limited. Possibly Cdl Dolan knows the difference between an assault weapon and a semi automatic rifle that resembles one superficially. But perhaps he doesn’t. He apparently didn’t realize the Cuomo bill banned police pistols even in the hands of the police.

Undoubtedly, because he is not an expert, and admits that he is not an expert in any manner, he left it up to the legislators, who turned the Obama bill down.