Gun Violence
"The voice of weapons must be silenced, while the voice of fraternity and justice must be raised."
Pope Leo XIV
Message after the Angelus, August 31 2025
USCCB Positions on Gun Violence
When the preservation of life is at issue, we must respond. There are tens of thousands of gun-related deaths each year in the United States. A majority of these deaths are the result of suicide. This epidemic of violence is present in every community and affects the people of God in our dioceses and parishes.
The USCCB has historically supported common sense measures of gun policy to address the violence, including:
- A ban on assault weapons
- Universal background checks
- A federal gun trafficking bill
- Regulations on sales of handguns
- Improved access to mental health care
- Banning large capacity magazines
- Safe storage measures
- Extreme risk protective orders
- An honest assessment of violent images and experiences in our society.
Download the New USCCB Resource on Gun Violence
Letters and Statements on Gun Violence
Background Information
Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action
A Pastoral Message of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1994
Backgrounder on Gun Violence: A Mercy and Peacebuilding Approach to Gun Violence
January 2020
Backgrounder on Gun Violence: A Mercy and Peacebuilding Approach to Gun Violence
March 2018
Backgrounder on Confronting Armed Violence and Promoting Peace
February 2013
Backgrounder on Assault Weapons
February 2005
2019-Present
Bishops Offer Prayers, Peace, and Healing to the Community Impacted by the Fatal Shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington
Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and Archbishop Borys Gudziak, May 23, 2025
Statement on the July 4 Shooting in Highland Park, Illinois
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, and Archbishop William E. Lori, July 6, 2022
Bishop Chairman Welcomes Passage of Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop William E. Lori, and Bishop Thomas Daly, June 24, 2022
Letter to Congress Regarding Gun Violence and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop William E. Lori, and Bishop Thomas Daly, June 23, 2022
U.S. Bishops’ Domestic Policy Chairman Commends Congressional Efforts to Address Gun Violence
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, June 14, 2022
Bishop Chairmen Call for Congressional Action to Address Gun Violence
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop William E. Lori, and Bishop Thomas A. Daly, June 3, 2022
Letter to Congress Regarding Gun Violence and Root Causes of Violence
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop William E. Lori, and Bishop Thomas A. Daly, June 3, 2022
Statement of USCCB on School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
May 24, 2022
Statement of USCCB on Shootings in Buffalo and Laguna Woods
May 16, 2022
Letter to U.S. Senate Regarding Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, and Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, March 9, 2022
Call for Easter Response to Mass Shooting in Indianapolis
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, April 19, 2021
U.S. Bishop Chairman Mourns Loss of Life in Mass Shooting in Boulder, Colorado
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, March 24, 2021
Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for Domestic Justice Committee on Shootings in San Jose
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, May 26, 2021
U.S. Bishop Chairman Urges Peace Following Reports Warning of Plans for Additional Violence at State Capitols and U.S. Capitol
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, January 16, 2021
2019
Responses to the Plague of Gun Violence
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, November 11, 2019
USCCB President Issues Statement Following Shootings in Midland and Odessa
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, September 1, 2019
President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice Issued a Statement After a Tragic Shooting in Dayton, Ohio
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, August 4, 2019
President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Domestic Justice Chairman issued a Statement Following Shooting in El Paso
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, August 3, 2019
Bishops’ Conference Domestic Committee Chairman Reacts to Gilroy, California Shooting
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, July 30, 2019
U.S. Catholic Bishops' Domestic Justice Chairman Issues Statement Following Shooting in Virginia Beach
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, June 1, 2019
Domestic Justice Chairman Issues Statement Following Shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch near Denver, Colorado
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, May 8, 2019
President of U.S. Bishops’ Responds to Today’s Mass Shooting at New Zealand Mosques
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, March 15, 2019
2018
President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Issues Statement Following Deadly Shooting at Mercy Hospital in Chicago
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, November 20, 2018
President of U.S. Bishops’ Conference Issues Statement Following Deadly Shooting in California
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, November 8, 2018
President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Issues Statement Following Shooting in Pittsburgh
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, October 27, 2018
President of U.S. Bishops Conference Responds to Santa Fe High School Shooting
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, May 18, 2018
Domestic Justice and Education Chairmen Urge Concrete Actions to Address Scourge of Gun Violence
Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice and Bishop George V. Murry, March 5, 2018
Bishop Conference President Reaction to Shooting at Florida High School
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, February 14, 2018
President of U.S. Bishops Conference Response to Kentucky High School Shooting
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, January 23, 2018
2016-2017
Domestic Justice Chairman Urges True Debate on Gun Violence
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, November 7, 2017
President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Responds to Mass Shooting in Texas
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, November 5, 2017
USCCB President Calls for National Day of Prayer and Appoints Special Task Force to Promote Peace and Unity
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, July 21, 2016
USCCB President Calls for Prayers, Reflection, Civility and Dialogue
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, July 8, 2016
Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development on President Obama’s Measures on the Regulation of Firearms
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, January 6, 2016
2012-2013
Bishop Blaire Voices Disappointment At Senate Failure To Support Measures To Reduce Gun Violence
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, April 19, 2013
Letter to Senate Leadership on Gun Violence Legislation
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, April 18, 2013
Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development Urges Senate To Support Policies That Reduce Gun Violence, Build Culture Of Life
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, April 8, 2013
Letter to Senate on Gun Violence
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, April 8, 2013
USCCB Senate Testimony on Reducing Gun Violence
February 12, 2013
U.S. Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development Expresses Hope That President’s Action On Guns Promotes A Culture Of Life
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, January 18, 2013
USCCB Committees Call For Action In Response To Newtown Tragedy I en Español
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, December 21, 2012
Cardinal Dolan Offers Prayers for Families, Victims of Connecticut School Shooting
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, December 14, 2012