Resolution Number: 2015-C005
Title: Implement Laws to Decrease Gun Violence
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention on the 50th anniversary of the murder of seminarian Jonathan Daniels, urge all legislators at federal, state and local levels to help decrease gun violence by implementing laws that;

1. Require permits to carry concealed weapons and criminal background checks for every gun purchase, including those made at gun shows; and

2. Except for the use of military and law enforcement agencies, ban the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; and

3. Ban the importation and manufacture of Full-Auto Conversion kits that convert guns into automatic weapons; and

4. Tighten laws against gun trafficking, and increase penalties for those who engage in "straw purchases" of firearms for ineligible persons; and

5. Prohibit persons from purchasing guns without evidence of gun safety training; and

6. Recognize the impact of existing inheritance laws on the transfer of gun ownership; and

7. Promote funding for research into the prevention and causes of gun violence.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 328.

Legislative History

Author: Diocese of Los Angeles
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Social Justice and United States Policy

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #14 on Resolution C005 (Decreasing Gun Violence) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C005)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention urge all legislators at federal, state, and local levels to help decrease gun violence by implementing laws that

-require criminal background checks for every gun purchase, including those made at gun shows;

-ban the sale, transfer, importation, and manufacture of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines;

-ban the importation and manufacture of kits that convert ammunition feeding devices into large capacity magazines (magazines capable of using over 10 rounds);

-tighten the laws against gun trafficking;

-add additional taxes to all sales of guns and ammunition, and use the proceeds to develop educational campaigns on the dangers of guns and to fund programs for mental health;

-give a personal Income Tax credit to those who surrender their firearms in gun buyback programs;

-prohibit persons from receiving guns through sales or other means without a valid Handgun Safety Certificate and safe handling demonstration; and

-promote funding for research into the causes and prevention of gun violence

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention on the 50th anniversary of the murder of seminarian Jonathan Daniels, urge all legislators at federal, state and local levels to help decrease gun violence by implementing laws that;

1. rRequire permits to carry concealed weapons and criminal background checks for every gun purchase, including those made at gun shows; and

2. bBan the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; and

3. bBan the importation and manufacture of Full-Auto Conversion kits that convert ammunition feeding devices guns into large capacity magazines (magazines capable of using over 10 rounds)automatic weapons; and

4. tTighten the laws against gun trafficking , and increase penalties for those who engage in "straw purchases" of firearms for ineligible persons; and

add additional taxes to all sales of guns and ammunition, and use the proceeds to develop educational campaigns on the dangers of guns and to fund programs for mental health;

-give a personal Income Tax credit to those who surrender their firearms in gun buyback programs;

-prohibit persons from receiving guns through sales or other means without a valid Handgun Safety Certificate and safe handling demonstration; and

5. Prohibit persons from purchasing guns without evidence of gun safety training; and

6. Recognize the impact of existing inheritance laws on the transfer of gun ownership; and

7. pPromote funding for research into the prevention and causes of gun violence.

Deputy Randle of Virginia moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Amend section 2 to read:

2.Except for the use of military and law enforcement agencies, bBban the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; and

A vote was taken on the amendment. A voice vote was inconclusive. The President called on the Voting Secretary to take an electronic vote.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Slater of Maryland moved to end debate on the resolution.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #114)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #16 on HD Message #114 on Resolution C005 (Decreasing Gun Violence) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #180)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 1.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention urges legislators to implement laws to help decrease gun violence through permitting procedures, banning certain weapons, and regulating the trade and transfer of guns.