wfn.org | Moms plan to mobilize for children's safety May 14

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

March 2, 2000	News media contact: Joretta Purdue·(202)546-8722·Washington
10-21-71B{113}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - In Michigan a 6-year-old kills a classmate. The same
day, a 15-year-old in Maryland receives combined sentences totaling life
plus 40 years for murdering a pizza deliveryman and a classmate when the
shooter was only 14. 

These are just two reasons why a large number of people are expected to
gather in the nation's capital on Mother's Day, May 14, to participate in
the Million Mom March.

What began as a grass-roots effort by a few mothers has grown into a
nationwide campaign. Its slogan is "We're Looking for a Few Good Moms," but
organizers welcome the efforts of anyone who is concerned about protecting
children.

The Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is
supporting the event as part of its ongoing Children's Campaign. The
division is bringing some of the conference mission social action
coordinators to Washington for the march, and it is also encouraging United
Methodist Women throughout the nation to participate in local events.

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has endorsed the
initiative. Board executive Frances Jett encourages United Methodists to
participate. She cites a statement included in the United Methodist Book of
Resolutions by the 1992 General Conference that says: "As Christians who are
deeply concerned about human life, we intend to do something about the
unregulated access to guns in this shooting gallery called America. We call
upon the church to affirm its faith through vigorous efforts to curb gun
violence."

The march is dedicated to educating children and adults throughout the
country about the life-threatening dangers guns pose for children. The call
to participate includes mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, godmothers,
foster mothers, future mothers and all others willing to be "honorary
mothers" in the crusade.

In addition to educating people about gun violence, the crusaders are asking
Congress for what they term "common sense gun control legislation." The
women favor laws or regulations requiring cooling-off periods and background
checks to prevent hasty purchases; the licensing of handgun owners and
registration of all handguns; safety locks for all handguns and the limiting
of individual handgun purchases to one a month. They also ask for
"no-nonsense enforcement" of gun laws.

The campaign seeks product safety standards for guns and ammunition,
background checks of all gun shop employees, prompt investigation and
prosecution of gun dealers frequently identified as sources for guns used in
crimes, liability on the part of manufacturers and dealers for security
against theft of guns and ammunition, and restriction of gun dealing to
commercial retail facilities in compliance with all laws and regulations.

The mothers are also calling on corporate America to provide toys and other
rewards for programs that offer goods and services in exchange for guns that
are turned in. The women stress that they want the guns destroyed by the
proper authorities so that the weapons are not recirculated in society. 

The United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill will be open for advocacy
preparation by participants who visit their representatives and senators on
the day after the march. Participants are being encouraged to make advance
appointments with their legislators.

For more information about the event, contact Jett at fjett@umc-gbcs.org or
(202) 488-5658, or Susie Johnson in the Women's Division's Washington
Office, (202) 488-5660. The Million Mom March has a World Wide Web site at
www.millionmommarch.com and a toll-free number, (888) 989-MOMS (6667).

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United Methodist News Service
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