The prophet Micah casts a hopeful vision of the future where nations will “beat their swords into iron plows, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Micah 4:3) It seems that in God's planned future, we will have no need for weapons and guns.
As people of faith, we believe we have a mission to help in realizing God's vision for the future. As we recognize how deeply gun violence affects our communities, we feel called to address gun violence and a cultural infatuation with fire arms and violence.
While The United Methodist Church calls congregations to address gun violence locally through prayer, conversation, support for those affected by gun violence, practicing and teaching gun safety and partnering with law enforcement to help prevent gun violence. We also support the actions of individuals and organizations who are taking guns off of the streets.
Organizations like Raw Tools, Inc, sponsor buy back and safe surrender events. A church in Tennessee hosted one of these events. And in the following video, we're able to see what happens after the guns are surrendered. Blacksmith Matt Clarady takes us through the process of transforming a weapon into a tool of nurturing or a work of art. There's new life all over this story.
