Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence Every year in the United States, more than 30,000 people are killed by gun violence and more than 100,000 are wounded. The violence affects big cities as well as small towns. Suburban Waukesha County has experienced three, high profile, mass shootings in recent years. Too often the national conversation regarding gun violence becomes mired in polarizing arguments about individual rights, and the banning of certain guns and weapons, but there is one thing we can all agree on. Too many people are dying from gun violence. “The 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted the resolution, ‘Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call’ in exercise of its responsibility to help the whole church address matters of social righteousness.” The good news is that in Southeast Wisconsin several metropolitan churches are already engaged in efforts to address gun violence. Southminster Presbyterian Church of Waukesha hopes to expand their initiatives into Waukesha County by inviting area Presbyterian Churches (and other interested groups) to attend a viewing of the documentary, Trigger, produced by award winning film maker David Barnhart. The film first aired on NBC and examines the ripple effect that one shooting has on a survivor, family, community and society. It is a story told from the perspective of those who have been directly impacted and those who are called daily to respond to this ongoing tragedy. The 54-minute film frames gun violence as both a disaster and a public health issue. It moves the conversation away from polarizing extremes that have long dominated the debate. We invite you to watch the film with us Oct. 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 at Southminster Presbyterian Church and participate in the follow up discussion on how we can make a difference as individuals and in partnership to reduce gun violence in our communities.

Southminster

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