What should be pointed out is that true reform would address the issue of violence, not be a focus on gun violence. Looking at the local newspaper reports of homicides, I see more in common among the sets of gun and non-gun violence perpetrators/victims, and less in common among the set of gun violence perpetrators/victims and the superset of average gun owners. Blaming the gun and banning it as a cure, reminds me of the 1950s claim that, because juvenile delinquents often read comic books, banning comic books would save juveniles from delinquency.
The problem is that very few news outlets report how firearms saved lives. From the 80 year old grandma with a shotgun who stopped a home invasion to the 30 year old lone female who stopped a rapist with her legal pistol to the man who stopped a mass shooting in a crowded venue with his 9mm Glock.
The root of some crimes seems to stem from drugs and drug addiction. Criminals steal to afford their drug addiction, drug pushers steal drugs and money from other drug pushers, gangs 'protect' their turf with violence so no one else muscles in on their operations. Other reasons for crime are the lure of easy money and power without being concerned about the consequences. Rapists and sex offenders have an sex addition. If there was some magic pill that would control additions and criminal behavior, the inventor would be the richest person on earth. And it would solve a majority of criminal behavior.
Regarding anti-gun organizations. The best thing is to counter their lies with the truth that guns save lies. Draconian gun legislation and gun free zones never worked to protect the public. There was a lady who was shot to death in New Jersey by her ex while waiting weeks for permission to purchase a pistol. These schemes create much more problems by forbidding law abiding citizens from protecting themselves.
And the the notion that the police can protect the public doesn't really hold true in every case. The Supreme Court has ruled that the police have no duty to protect. And the criminals are not going to observe gun control laws and gun free zones but rather take advantage of the fact that the victims cannot legally fight back.
From what I read here so far, it would seem that the the old "Hand Gun Control" was still in business and dictating their agenda to the UMC. If enough people left the denomination and went to another. It might be a wake up call and catalyst for a change in the right direction. It would be a shame to have to leave a church organization, especially when their family have been a member for generations.
The answer is to start a pro-gun organization for UMC members, and call it United Methodist Members for Gun Rights. Get signatures, start a petition demanding change. Send them pro-gun articles where a firearm saved a life. Send them reports that showed a drop in crime where pro carry laws was enacted. I don't know how or who is on the top level of the UMC, but if they are anti-gun. Demand they resign their position and help 'elect' or appoint pro-gun leaders.
While complaining here is good, much more can be done when enough UMC members/congregation get together to change the anti-gun philosophy to a pro-gun one. That is the way to do it.
Get organized, gather signatures in numbers and good luck,
.
