Night Guy
Member
'Seven Sundays' program aims to curb gun violence
By Stuart A. Hirsch
[email protected]
August 16, 2004
Even in their role as peacemakers, the lives of the Rev. Anthony Wayne Harris and his wife, Deanne, have been touched by gun violence.
An 18-year-old relative of Deanne Harris' was shot in the head and killed less than a year ago in Muncie.
At a news conference Sunday at his church, the Rev. Harris, pastor of Ravenbrook Widow Missionary Baptist Church, joined several speakers in promoting a program to reduce firearm violence and suicide in Indianapolis.
Other sponsors of the program, called "Seven Sundays of Non-Violence," are Clarian Health Partners, the Indianapolis Police Department and the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence.
The program brings together faith leaders, police and health and school officials.
Harris said blacks are disproportionately affected by gun violence. A study of 2002 shootings by the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence found that, in Marion County, blacks were six times more likely than whites to be injured by a firearm.
"We need more community organizations to get involved," Harris said. "The Indianapolis police cannot do it alone.
"Where there is peace, violence will cease."
As part of the program, IPD will sponsor a gun buyback Aug. 28. The initiative will culminate with an Oct. 5 conference on reducing firearm violence.
"Indiana's firearm and suicide death rates have exceeded national rates for the past decade," said Robb Schrimshaw, executive director of the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence.
While gun deaths, injuries and suicides have huge emotional consequences for families and the community, there is also a significant financial impact in medical care for those injured by firearms, Schrimshaw said. The partnership's 2002 study showed that the 505 people killed or hurt by bullets cost $5 million to treat.
Faith-based leaders and the religious community are essential partners in reducing gun violence, he said, because "they are connected with people in ways that no other professionals are."
A key message police want to emphasize is that a gun is a lousy problem-solving tool, said IPD community liaison officer Benjamin Hunter.
The department's goal isn't to take away guns, he said, but to promote responsible gun ownership through the use of trigger locks and other safety devices.
As for the department's effort to collect guns, Hunter said, "I'm under no grand illusion that a gun buyback is going to end violence on the streets."
But it may spur some residents to rid their homes of weapons they no longer want, he said.
Call Star reporter Stuart Hirsch at (317) 444-2805.
Program highlights
Key events in the "Seven Sundays of Non-Violence" program:
• Gun buyback: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28, Julia Carson Government Center, 300 E. Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive. Unwanted guns may be turned in; owners will receive $20 in cash.
• Community conference: "Understanding, Preventing and Responding to Firearm Violence and Suicide: How the Faith Community Can Make a Difference," 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5, North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St.
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All other nonsense aside, I feel the need to vent. $20 bucks!!! That's outrageous. I expect at least $50 for Bryco's, Jennings and High Points.
By Stuart A. Hirsch
[email protected]
August 16, 2004
Even in their role as peacemakers, the lives of the Rev. Anthony Wayne Harris and his wife, Deanne, have been touched by gun violence.
An 18-year-old relative of Deanne Harris' was shot in the head and killed less than a year ago in Muncie.
At a news conference Sunday at his church, the Rev. Harris, pastor of Ravenbrook Widow Missionary Baptist Church, joined several speakers in promoting a program to reduce firearm violence and suicide in Indianapolis.
Other sponsors of the program, called "Seven Sundays of Non-Violence," are Clarian Health Partners, the Indianapolis Police Department and the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence.
The program brings together faith leaders, police and health and school officials.
Harris said blacks are disproportionately affected by gun violence. A study of 2002 shootings by the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence found that, in Marion County, blacks were six times more likely than whites to be injured by a firearm.
"We need more community organizations to get involved," Harris said. "The Indianapolis police cannot do it alone.
"Where there is peace, violence will cease."
As part of the program, IPD will sponsor a gun buyback Aug. 28. The initiative will culminate with an Oct. 5 conference on reducing firearm violence.
"Indiana's firearm and suicide death rates have exceeded national rates for the past decade," said Robb Schrimshaw, executive director of the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence.
While gun deaths, injuries and suicides have huge emotional consequences for families and the community, there is also a significant financial impact in medical care for those injured by firearms, Schrimshaw said. The partnership's 2002 study showed that the 505 people killed or hurt by bullets cost $5 million to treat.
Faith-based leaders and the religious community are essential partners in reducing gun violence, he said, because "they are connected with people in ways that no other professionals are."
A key message police want to emphasize is that a gun is a lousy problem-solving tool, said IPD community liaison officer Benjamin Hunter.
The department's goal isn't to take away guns, he said, but to promote responsible gun ownership through the use of trigger locks and other safety devices.
As for the department's effort to collect guns, Hunter said, "I'm under no grand illusion that a gun buyback is going to end violence on the streets."
But it may spur some residents to rid their homes of weapons they no longer want, he said.
Call Star reporter Stuart Hirsch at (317) 444-2805.
Program highlights
Key events in the "Seven Sundays of Non-Violence" program:
• Gun buyback: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28, Julia Carson Government Center, 300 E. Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive. Unwanted guns may be turned in; owners will receive $20 in cash.
• Community conference: "Understanding, Preventing and Responding to Firearm Violence and Suicide: How the Faith Community Can Make a Difference," 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5, North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St.
******************************
All other nonsense aside, I feel the need to vent. $20 bucks!!! That's outrageous. I expect at least $50 for Bryco's, Jennings and High Points.
