Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations July

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations July 2026 Welcome, New Readers Below are 2 Action Deadlines for Preventing Gun Violence 1.. "Skip the Counter" Gun Sales Aug. 4 is the last day to submit a comment to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) opposing 30 new rules that put gun lobby profits before public safety. One rule allows gun buyers to "skip the counter" to purchase an estimated 3.28 million additional guns online per year. This will increase the danger of mass shootings, gun suicide and other risks to public safety. Please click HERE by Aug. 4 to take action. Thank you. 2.. Aug. 25 is the last day to register for gun violence prevention training at the Atwood Institute, Sept. 15-18 near Kansas CIty, MO. Whether you are a seasoned faith activist or want to explore gun violence prevention for your congregation, please join us in September for training in the practical, pastoral and prophetic calling to help save lives. Frequently Asked Questions HERE. See the Atwood Institute Schedule HERE. Meet the Faculty HERE. Why Come? Because we all need to learn how to effectively communicate about this issue, from the adult education class to sharing our own stories to the pulpit to the public square. Learn what's working in the urban centers of the midwest, including the role of congregations with community violence interruption programs. Learn how to help your community heal from the trauma and fear of gun violence. And, together, let's learn what steps can best prevent gun violence now. Plus, find a spiritual community to keep us all going --and transform a gun into a garden tool! Learn More & Register Here. Find a kit HERE to share Atwood in social media, newsletters, etc. See a 1 minute video HERE on what last year's participants took home to their churches. Photos below from Atwood Institute 2024 and 2025. Thanks to Generous Sponsors, Scholarships are Available. 2026 Sponsors (as of 7/16/26) First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, NM Wisconsin Council of Churches Webster Grove Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO Fellowship of Reconciliation, Atwood Family Doug and Cheryl Hunt, Jeff Wild, Doris Mabrey New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence Heartland Presbytery, The Presbyterian Outlook RAWtools South, Kansas City Guns to Gardens Wisconsin Guns to Gardens Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Sponsor/Donate Here/Atwood Institute 2026 presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence-prevention  Rev. Margery Rossi, Minister for Gun Violence Prevention margery@presbypeacefellowship.org Rev. Jan Orr-Harter, Editor & Moderator, Gun Violence Prevention Working Group gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Presbyterian Peace Fellowship 845-786-6743 | presbypeacefellowship.org Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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