Braden UMC Hosts Multifaith Meeting to Learn About the Be SMART ® Gun Safety Program
Toledo, OH. – A multifaith group from Toledo and the surrounding area will gather in a continuing series of meetings designed to help reduce gun violence in our communities.
This gathering of faith-based organizations will take place on Sunday, November 19 th at 1:00 p.m., at Braden United Methodist Church, 4725 Dorr St. Toledo, OH.
This is third on an ongoing series of meetings arranged by The Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence. The upcoming meeting will feature a seminar on the BeSMART ® Gun Safety Program. The campaign was developed by Everytown for Gun Safety, the parent organization for Moms Demand Action. BeSMART ® was launched to promote responsible gun ownership and reduce child gun deaths. The campaign focuses on education and awareness about child gun deaths and secure gun storage.
The need is urgent. Firearms are the #1 cause of death of people younger than 18 years of age in America. According to the CDC, an average of 17 young people die from firearms every day in the U.S. The BeSMART ® Gun Safety Program can be part of the solution.
Rev. Cecil Thompson of Braden UMC is a member of The Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence. This volunteer-led group has grown to include almost thirty houses of worship in the Toledo area. The Coalition came together from a belief that
people of faith are uniquely positioned to help reduce the outbreak of gun violence we are experiencing.
“Houses of worship are places of refuge and healing where we can provide lifesaving information such as this BeSMART ® program,” Rev. Thompson said, “Some of our congregation members have been directly and indirectly affected by gun violence. As believers, we stand with our communities in this effort to reduce gun violence in our neighborhoods. Our commitment is to provide education, hope, and comfort as we, collectively, overcome despair.”
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement working toward public safety measures to protect people from gun violence, with an emphasis on passing stronger safety legislation. They are the on-the-ground grassroots organization for Everytown for Gun Safety, its parent organization. Moms Demand Action has chapters in every state and most large cities, including Toledo.
The forum is open to members of all Northwest Ohio faith-based organizations.
RSVP by November 15th to: Braden United Methodist Church
419-386-2700
[email protected]