New England UMC Bishop Endorses Background Checks on All Gun Sales in Maine
Bishop Sudarshana Devadar and the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church joined the Maine Council of Churches in endorsing a ballot measure that would require background checks on all gun purchases in Maine.
“As Bishop of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, I want to express my wholehearted support for the initiative to institute a background check on all gun sales in the State of Maine,” said Bishop Devadar.
“Our United Methodist General Conference voted overwhelmingly to support a resolution that is calling on us to end gun violence. The resolution from General Conference reminds us of Jesus’ call to his followers to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), which echoes God’s dreams for peace for all of creation as expressed in Micah 4:1-4. Furthermore, the resolution suggests that one way we prevent gun violence is “for United Methodist congregations to advocate at the local and national level for laws that prevent or reduce gun violence. One of those measures includes universal background checks on all gun purchases.”
