Calling for An End to Gun Violence

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, May 31, 2026

“Wear Orange is a weekend in June dedicated to honoring the lives of people in the United States affected by gun violence and elevating the voices of advocates across the country who are demanding an end to gun violence. [Orange symbolizes the hunter’s orange worn in the woods to protect people from being shot.]

Now in its 12^th year, Wear Orange honors Hadiya Pendleton and the nearly 130 people shot and killed every day in the United States, as well as the hundreds more who are wounded and the countless others whose lives have been changed by gun violence. It is a collective movement bringing people together around a simple message: there’s more we can do to end gun violence.” (Everytown for Gun Safety, 5/1/26)

 CeaseFirePA is hosting a Wear Orange event on June 7 (2:00-4:00pm) in Bryn Mawr. You can register here. (Kate Lyden, CeaseFirePA, 5/19/26)

On May 14, a 14-year-old girl in Upper Darby was killed by a firearm that had been left unsecured. Four children were alone in the house when they found a handgun and were playing with it when it was discharged. Tragically, this is not an occasional scenario.

“Nearly seven million children in the U.S. live in a home with at least one gun that is loaded and not locked away, according to a new study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This means 1 in 5 gun-owning parents store firearms in the most dangerous way possible.” (Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA, 5/19/26)

“Gun violence is the number one killer of young people in Pennsylvania, but it doesn’t have to be. Right now, our lawmakers have an opportunity to introduce, cosponsor, and pass a secure gun storage law that could drastically reduce youth firearm injuries and deaths.

Over half of U.S. states have laws mandating that gun owners secure their firearms in a way that protects public health and safety. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not among them. Send a message to your legislator now telling them to protect PA kids by passing lifesaving secure storage legislation.” (Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA, 5/15/26)

“In states where elected officials have taken action to pass gun safety laws, fewer people die by gun violence. The difference between action and inaction is clear. See where Pennsylvania stands.” (Everytown for Gun Safety, 1/20/26)

On June 2 (9:30-1:30), gun violence prevention advocates from across the Commonwealth will be gathering in Harrisburg to meet with legislators, rally on the steps of the capitol, and send a clear message to lawmakers that Pennsylvanians demand lifesaving change. Click here if you would like to register for the event.

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org.  To access current and past columns and to act on any of the topics, go to holycrossphl.org and click on Social Justice Committee – Stewards of Our Earth.