Engaging Faith Communities in the GVP Fight

The GVP field needs to attract people who might not otherwise choose this as a top priority issue.

By: Tom Mauser

Some Americans express concern over churches getting involved in “politics.” Often it’s expressed by liberals upset with conservative preachers seemingly endorsing candidates, or by those thinking that as 501(c) 3 organizations churches are prohibited from political activity.

It is true that such organizations are prohibited from endorsing candidates for office, but they are not prohibited from supporting legislation or speaking about issues of public concern.

Certainly, gun violence in America is one of those issues of public concern, and in Colorado a large group of faith communities has been speaking out – loudly. Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence is the only faith-based organization in Colorado dedicated to ending gun violence.

CFCU was formed after 24 congregations staged awareness activities in support of the National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath from March 14 - 17, 2014. The success of that first joint effort led to a coffee shop conversation where three people – representing Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist faith traditions – first laid out the role that people of faith could and should formally play in reducing gun violence on an ongoing basis. A hallmark of CFCU is that thoughts and prayers must be accompanied with action.

CFCU has since grown to 52 members, which includes churches, synagogues, and an ashram. CFCU’s two-fold mission is: to advocate for legislation and policies at the local, state, and national level that promote gun safety and reduce the levels of violence arising out of the improper use of firearms; and, to develop a large and strong interfaith coalition of congregations to increase its impact when talking to public and private decision-making groups.

CFCU works to make laws as effective as possible through complementary public health strategies like offering QPR (Question, Persuade Refer) training in its congregations, given that almost 70% of Colorado’s gun deaths are firearm suicides. It has also developed training for parents to encourage doctors to screen for guns in the home as part of well-child examinations using educational materials developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Each member congregation assigns one representative and one alternate as the points of contact. The pastor of my church, the Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren, is our representative and I’m the alternate. My primary GVP role, though, is as a long-time board member and spokesperson of Colorado Ceasefire Legislative Action, Colorado’s longest-serving GVP lobbying group.

There has been a very healthy and successful partnership between Ceasefire and CFCU that has aided both organizations. Each year the two co-sponsor a Sandy Hook vigil as well as a lobby day during the legislative session, providing information on pending gun-related bills and encouraging participants to visit legislators afterwards. Ceasefire makes educational presentations at CFCU member congregations. CFCU can’t endorse candidates, but encourages members interested in electoral action to join Ceasefire. And Ceasefire can encourage its members who belong to a congregation to urge that congregation to join CFCU.

Whenever gun related legislation is introduced in the Colorado legislature, you can always count on CFCU having one of its members there to give testimony to the relevant committee, using a variety of speakers.

CFCU is an active participant in the Colorado Coalition Against Gun Violence, a collaborative group of 17 organizations formed to increase the effectiveness of the effort to reduce gun violence in Colorado, through direct and frequent communication, coordinated activities, and policy change.

CFCU is engaged in more than just legislation. It is currently organized around four action teams: Advocacy, Public Health Strategies, Outreach, and Communications. This is where the real work is done. CFCU volunteers have been assisting youth in Denver’s innovative HIP (Handgun Intervention Program) for non-violent, first-time offenders since its founding in 2021.

CFCU does not have any paid staff but has a few co-leaders who dedicate much time to the cause. CFCU assesses dues to support its activities.

What I see as a great asset of CFCU is that it can bring in people from a wide variety of backgrounds into our issue. For example, two CFCU members are retired attorneys who have provided guidance on a number of legal issues, including the Bruen decision, and have recently been testifying to legislative committees representing CFCU. It also has several retired doctors (a neurologist and pediatrician) who have been instrumental in developing CFCU’s public health approach, and a research/evaluation professional who compiles the solid Colorado data that guides planning.

In the GVP field we cannot depend completely on a leadership made up of gun violence survivors and what are often referred to as “true believers” – people who are very deeply dedicated to an issue. We also need to attract people who might not otherwise choose this as a top priority issue for themselves without some prodding, such as business people, health professionals, lawyers, gun owners, public relations experts, etc. Faith communities are places you can find them, and faith communities can play a role in recruiting them to our cause!

Also, in most cases, the values of the faith community strongly align with gun violence prevention. While CFCU’s membership draws from diverse faith traditions, they share a belief in protecting and preserving human life and call upon policymakers to join them in building communities of peace.

Tom Mauser is the father of Daniel Mauser, who was one of the students killed in the mass shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Since then he has been a fierce state and national advocate for gun reform. His work was recognized by President Clinton in his last State of the Union speech, and Tom was the father who is seen protesting and speaking against the NRA in Michael Moore’s Bowling For Columbine. He is the author of Walking in Daniel’s Shoes.

World Religions Symbols illustration by Rosy from Pixabay; Colorado State Capitol Building image by Kaity from Pixabay