[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal leaders in Massachusetts are rallying alongside gun safety advocates to preserve a sweeping state gun control law against a campaign seeking to repeal it by voter referendum.
The Massachusetts Legislature voted overwhelmingly in 2024 to adopt the law, which further strengthened the state’s already substantial protections against gun violence. It implemented new prohibitions on guns in public places, imposed stricter licensing requirements related to mental health history, enhanced “red flag” measures for specific threats, expanded the definition of illegal “assault-style firearms” and outlawed “ghost guns,” those made privately to avoid tracking.
Since then, pro-gun advocates have objected, and they forced a referendum onto the ballot in Massachusetts’ general election this November. Unless a majority of voters say “yes” to the law, it will be repealed.
The Boston-based Diocese of Massachusetts, which includes congregations in the eastern half of the state, has gone on record opposing the law’s repeal. Its Diocesan Council endorsed the “yes” campaign in a vote on April 16, and Bishop Julia Whitworth has personally gotten behind the efforts to maintain the law.
“Episcopalians regularly promise, through our Baptismal Covenant, to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. This compels us to take action to prevent gun violence, in the name of our faith,” Whitworth said in a written statement to Episcopal News Service.
The diocese had supported efforts to pass the law in 2024, alongside the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. Episcopalians in Massachusetts are invited to learn more in a “call to action” meeting on Zoom at 5 p.m. Eastern June 2.
Whitworth, in her statement, noted The Episcopal Church’s long history of supporting gun safety efforts. Most recently, the 81st General Convention in 2024 passed several resolutions regarding gun control policies, gun storage and military-style assault weapons, and it called on Congress to recognize gun violence as a national health crisis.
Such advocacy “has resulted in common sense legislation to reduce and prevent gun violence in our commonwealth,” Whitworth said. “Owing to a powerful gun lobby, these laws are now at risk. With the support of Diocesan Council, I am calling on Episcopalians in Eastern Massachusetts to vote their faith this November and to offer visible Christian witness to peace, non-violence, and love of neighbor through the ‘Yes for a Safe Massachusetts’ advocacy.”
– David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.