JUNE IS NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. Every day, more than 300 people are directly impacted by gun violence in the United States. Gun Violence Awareness Month was created to draw attention to this tragic reality and demand life-saving change. The St. Louis Archdiocese honors this month with a weekly series of bulletin articles.

From the St. Louis Archdiocesan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention:

When it comes to gun violence, women in the United States are 28 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than women in peer high-income nations. Two in five female firearm homicide victims were killed by a current or former intimate partner. In other words, every 16 hours, a woman is shot dead by her current or former partner, an average of 70 women every month. Access to a gun makes it 5 times more likely that an abuser will kill his female victim. 

As St. Paul notes in this weekend’s second reading, he was rescued from the lion’s mouth.  Victims of domestic violence also long for rescue.  In the St. Louis Archdiocese, St. Martha’s, one of the ministries of Catholic Charities, provides shelter, resources, and compassionate care for women and children experiencing domestic violence.  

In recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Month, the Archdiocese of St. Louis Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has made free gun locks available at all parishes.  Check with the parish office if you would like a lock or email GVPTF@archstl.org.