More misinformation from the other side !

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ICHV Insights by Father Michael Pfleger

Gun violence has always been an issue, but in the last ten years, I've watched it become more of an epidemic. It has grown to a new and frightening level. In some communities, murder and shooting of youth is to be expected.

Role of Gun Industry

Why is this happening? Well, the culture of violence has become acceptable in America. Violence has also been glorified by videos and music. It's also important to realize that the NRA has encouraged guns to be part of America's wardrobe in the name of fear. Anyone can get a gun.

When we take a closer look, we can see that the NRA is the lobbyist for gun manufacturers -- but not for gun owners. It's really about business. It's like the tobacco industry. Eventually, that industry started targeting younger and younger people.

The gun industry reaches an astounding number of illegal consumers -- and many of them are young. For example, I can go to any high school in the city and students will say they know where they can find a gun. Without a doubt, the gun industry has promoted the kind of easy access to guns that makes this possible.

Of course, the gun industry tries to paint this issue with a wide brush by saying that anyone who challenges it is criticizing the second amendment. What they don't tell you, though, is that you can be for the second amendment and still realize that the gun industry is pushing guns on us in a way that is hurting our neighborhoods and children.

Broad Effects of Gun Violence

What can we do? Some say that guns are not the problem -- you have to change people's behavior. I say that you have to teach children to make the right decisions -- but also focus on the very real gun problem that plagues our society.

We are not dealing with the broader effects of violence. A child gets killed, and everyone connected to that child is affected. What about the children? Who sits in the classroom where that child sat? And what about the children all around the neighborhood? Now, when you visit communities, our new historical landmarks are murder sites. Now, the prayer is not that children avoid illness -- but that they don't get killed. Children are afraid to go to school and afraid to come home from school; fear greets you in the morning, and in the afternoon.

We need to have a different approach to our schools. We teach about the health costs of smoking and disease; let's also teach children about the impact of guns and violence. We must also support conflict resolution programs and other efforts that can be effective.

It's also about resources. When a mother or father or school system sees a young person who is in a potentially violent state or situation, we must provide resources that help prevent what could happen. I have talked to so many principals who say "We saw it coming." I ask: "Then why didn't we try to help that child more?" They always say: "There's not enough resources."

Facing the Race Issue

Meanwhile, there is a context to this violence that far too few people are willing to talk about: the response and reaction of our society to violence is always affected by class and race. Why do you think there was a lack of response to Katrina, but a rapid response when homes were hit by wildfire in California? Earlier this year, we watched our nation authorize a billion for the development of a new swine flu vaccine. When will our country release funding and take the necessary legislative steps to deal with gun violence?

Violence against our children has become acceptable because the biggest number of children who are victims are black and brown. If 38 white children were the victims of gun violence, there would be a national response and outcry. How many shootings at a Virginia Tech, Columbine or Northern Illinois University have to happen in white rural and suburban communities before people care about the bigger picture?

Looking Ahead

Still, we are making some progress on this issue. We have partnerships with handgun groups, some faith leaders in the city and beyond, some legislators, parents who have lost their children to violence and, in Chicago, the mayor. We are seeing positive responses from many people in our neighborhoods. As we connect and organize people in our communities who are concerned about this issue, they don't feel alone. They feel empowered.

At the same time, there is a greater majority that is either silent or afraid, and until this majority becomes engaged on this issue, we will be like voices crying in the wilderness. I believe there are enough people out there to support laws that mandate universal background checks on guns, limit the number of guns people can purchase, and make sure other key gun control laws are passed. But we need to hear from them.

In the end, this is a comprehensive problem that demands a comprehensive response. Our neighbors, our legislators, our schools, our neighborhoods -- together we can make a difference. We can change the current of the river.

Father Michael Pfleger is the pastor of Saint Sabina Catholic Church in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. He is well-known for being a social activist on a range of issues, including gun violence.