On Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Bishop Perry gathered with faith leaders and community leaders from across Michigan at the End Gun Violence 2023 Campaign Launch to urge our Michigan Legislature to make gun safety laws a top priority in their first 100 days of this new session.
Events occurred throughout the day, in communities across Michigan, including; Oxford, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Marquette, Detroit, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids.
Watch a recording of the live-stream from the Lansing event, below.
Remarks for the Inaugural Press Conference for End Gun Violence Michigan
February 14, 2022
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry
11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
We are here on the 14th day of February, Valentine’s Day, not by accident, for this is the fourth anniversary of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in Parkland, FL. Four years ago, 17 people were killed and 17 more were wounded. And what has changed since then?
More dead students, more administrators, faculty and staff who have died. More dead young people in our schools and in our cities. Now here in Oxford, MI.
As a person of faith and as people of good will, we can no longer stand by and watch our legislators do nothing. At our state house, sensible gun legislation bills have been introduced.
We are here to say, “Senate Majority Leader Shirkey, Speaker of the House Wentworth, give the bills that have been introduced a hearing.”
And then after a thoughtful hearing call for votes. And let our legislators publicly vote their conscience. If you don’t have hearings and allow votes, and you continue not to act, while our young people continue to be at risk, we may have to go around you and propose a ballot initiative which contains some or all the unacted upon proposed bills.
Friends, we can make common sense changes that respect the rights of gun responsible gun owners and keeps our children safe, alive. We can end gun violence in Michigan.
Please join me in this work. For more information please go to: www.endgunviolencemichigan.org.
The Detroit News_02-14-22_”Michigan firearm reform group eyes 2024 initiative if laws not changed.”
Fox 10_WILX_02-14-22_”…Oxford student joins new statewide organization in fighting gun violence”
Fox 2_Detroit_02-14-22_”…End Gun Violence Michigan group calling for common-sense laws”
WZZM_13abc_02-14-22_”Gun reform ballot initiative possible…”