Weapons Possession & Safety: Fidlin AZ Giffords Coalition Remarks

Good morning. I’m Billie Fidlin, Director of Outreach & Justice for all United Methodist Churches in AZ and S. NV. I am Vice President of the Arizona Faith Network, which is an interfaith organization, as well as I chair its Public Policy Commission for the state. In 2000 I founded and am President of Whisper n Thunder, which is a Native American non-profit, as well as I sit on a number of other boards including Arizonans for Gun Safety and the Arizona Giffords Coalition. Today, I speak to you on behalf of the many diverse faith communities that we find in AZ and beyond.

Often in the spaces of disagreement that we find ourselves in, we hear the phrase something along the lines – that which we have in common is so much greater than that which divides us. Well, I would like to take that a step further. That which seemingly divides us CAN BE instead, the catalyst for unity. You see, whether we call out for God, Allah, Creator, Great Spirit or Savior, we can all acknowledge that there is One Creator who creates and loves us all. All faith practices can agree on the following – we value and cherish the child among, and within, each of us. We value and cherish the gift from the Holy bestowed upon us – the sanctity of life. That life, is sacred, and worthy of protection, of safety.

Our divisions regarding weapons possession and background checks and bump stocks and all the rest – could we not take a step further, go just a bit deeper, and agree that our sometimes combative discussions, in their foundation, could in fact be a place where we find common ground. Where we agree there Is No Other Side. Where as people of faith practice, wherever that faith practice finds its origin, the sacredness of life is what is at stake. In the end, we are talking about safety. It is just how we get there that may differ among us.

The gift of life, freely given to you, and to me. It is there we find common ground and unity. Foundational to each of our faith principles – value in being given and holding in honor, our very existence and therefore our possible contributions to this world of ours. When I hear of any shooting, I cannot help but wonder, what was lost? What did that person bring to this world, what did the 12 in Thousand Oaks, perhaps even the 13… what did they bring to this world that has now been forever taken away?

When we talk about gun rights and related subjects – what is really at the core of those discussions? Why do we become engaged? Why do we feel such passion? Is it not our responsibility to authentically discover in ourselves – why we care? Is

it simply about one’s rights or the perceived loss of same? Or does it go deeper? What is within you? Why… must we care? Why… must we as a people, faith or no faith, find a solution?

You know the answers as to why. 1991 Killeen, TX. 1999 Columbine & Honolulu / 2005 Red Lake Indian Rez. / 2007 Blacksburg, Va / 2009 Binghamton, NY. / 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary & Oak Creek & Aurora / 2013 Washington DC 2014 Fort Hood 2015 Charleston, SC & San Bernardino / 2016 Orlando. 2017 Las Vegas. 2018 Parkland, Pittsburgh, Thousand Oaks. And taking a step back, a personal, painful step back for all of us gathered here today, 2011 Tucson, Arizona. But other answers as to why we must respond are every bit as devastating – every domestic violence victim or random act of assault. Every stray bullet shot on a holiday or in anger or by accident. Intended violence or even unintended victimization is NOT how the Holy calls us to respond.

What has been unleashed in this country must be reined in.

Today, here and now, we call for respect. We call for living out what we hear from faith leaders from all over the country. It is not enough to listen on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. It is not enough, to simply take in the information. We cannot remain silent, either in voice or deed. We must join where we can, agree when we can, march together, stand together, talk together, pray together – for one, for all. For the angry and the angered. For the victim and yes, the perpetrator. For the voter and the elected, the victorious and those who may have or be, lost, to find a way to come together. In peace, in dialogue, in community as one for a better tomorrow.

This is what the Giffords Arizona Coalition is calling us to do. To join. To take part. To be not just a voice for change but an element OF change. As you have heard stated today so eloquently by our panel speakers, when it comes to preventing gun violence there is no other side.

Will you come together today in unity? Will you join Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords in their efforts so that on a not too distant tomorrow, we can say with confidence, not only that we made a difference, but that yes, we saved lives. The choice to join us is up to you. Today.