Gun overtures approved by Assembly Paula R. Kincaid The Layman Online Tuesday, June 29, 1999 FORT WORTH – The 211th General Assembly approved two overtures supporting the legitimate possession and use of firearms. By approving overture 99-58 from the Presbytery of Alaska, the GA "reaffirmed the denomination's position in support of legitimate possession and use of firearms in hunting, the maintenance of a subsistence lifestyle, target-shooting, collecting and other recreational sports." Overture 99-62 from the Yukon Presbytery asked the GA to reaffirm that its policies advocating strict gun control legislation "would not cover shotguns and rifles legitimately used by sportsmen," and that the "scope of the General Assembly policy on guns does not extend to hunting, target shooting, collecting or other recreational uses of firearms. Privately owned guns used for these purposes are not the focus here." Both overtures ask Presbyterians to become involved in and support programs, activities, and training that promote the responsible use of firearms, teach firearm safety and "hold persons who use firearms responsible and accountable for their actions." Removal of handguns The overtures came in response to a 1998 GA decision to work "intentionally to remove handguns and assault weapons from our homes and communities." Approval of the 1998 overture touched off a firestorm of opposition from gun owners. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), says the Assembly received about 750 letters, calls and e-mails in reaction to the gun statement, most of them negative. He said the responses were as many as the Assembly received on any issue. The 1998 overture singled out handguns and "assault rifles" for removal from homes and communities. "Assault rifle" is a popular description of rifles that were originally manufactured for military use. They are generally less expensive than top-of-the-line hunting weapons, although some have no more firepower than hunting rifles. |
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