Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Fall 2013 Issue | Page 2

Letter to the Editor

Who We Are

Response to ‘Gun Violence’

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

This responds to your column in the Summer 2013 issue of
the Virginia Episcopalian entitled “Response to Gun Violence:
Issues of Morality and Legislation.”

From your description of the Diocese’s response to gun
violence in the Annual Council and planning initiatives, we think
the Diocese is addressing the easily visible symptom and not
treating the underlying “disease,” which is a combination of
extremely complex and entrenched social issues. 

We see every day that a segment of our society has no
regard for the life or safety of others. We see it in robberies or
murders done for a pair of athletic shoes or a jacket or because
someone looked at another strangely. We see it in what seems
to be an increase in home invasions. We see it on the highways
with drivers who drive aggressively, weaving and speeding,
to get ahead while risking the lives of others. We see it in rude
behavior and in many other aspects of our lives. So far this is a
minority segment of our population and most people respect
others and our laws.

Most people abhor violence. But those with no regard
for others see it as a way to get what they want regardless of
the cost to others. Where does this mindset come from? Is it
from generations of poverty and unemployment that lead to
hopelessness or no avenue for getting ahead through legal
means? Is it from the easy availability of illegal drugs and the
need to feed addiction? Is it from cultural pressures to have
the best of everything with no hope of getting it? Is it from the
pervasive violence in our entertainment industry? Is it from
mental illness? You could name many other possible causes.

These societal issues will not be affected one iota by going
after “gun violence” in the ways the Diocese and some others
have proposed. There are so many millions of guns in America
today that the measures being put forward to reduce certain
types of guns will not be effective. Further, they would penalize
the responsible majority in our society with a broad-brush
stroke of actions aimed at a criminal minority. We already have
a plethora of laws against gun trafficking and other illegal
behavior with guns.

Taking on the initiatives you described seems to be a
wasteful use of scarce diocesan resources. It may give an image
of doing something worthwhile but will not address underlying
causes. We ask that the Diocese use its resources for programs
to help alleviate poverty in our communities, hopelessness,
drug use, criminal pressures, our violent cultural influences and
other social ills that lead to violence of any kind. Such efforts
would have a chance to actually make a difference.

You wrote that the Diocese would study what responsible
gun ownership looks like. Our families have been responsible
gun owners for generations. We teach our children how to
use and respect guns. We teach them to respect other people
and all life. We keep our weapons safe from visiting children.
We enjoy marksmanship, skeet and hunting. We are among a
majority of responsible gun owners.

For Christ. For this time. For all time.

Jacob B. and Kathlyn Waltermire
Parishioners, St. Mary’s, Colonial Beach

The Mayo Memorial Church House:
110 West Franklin St.

800-DIOCESE

Richmond, VA 23220-5095

804-643-8451

Fax [phone]

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and
the Episcopal Church. We are a community of more than 80,000 baptized members and
425 clergy in 38 counties of central, northern and northwestern Virginia, serving the
world through 182 congregations, six diocesan schools, two diocesan centers and six
diocesan homes, and home to the largest Anglican seminary in the world. Our episcopal
seat is the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration, Orkney Springs. Organized 1785.
How to Reach the Diocesan Staff:
Paris Ball, Director of Christian Formation: [e-mail]
ext. 1042
Buck Blanchard, Director of Mission and Outreach: [e-mail]
1016
Mary Anne Bryant, Assistant, Mission and Outreach: [e-mail]
1017
Joy Buzzard, Financial Administrator: [e-mail]
1022
Emily Cherry, Communications Director: [e-mail]
1021
Laura Cramer, Benefits Administrator: [e-mail]
1040
Stephanie Higgins, Assistant, Development & Stewardship: [e-mail] 1029
Edward W. Jones, Secretary of the Diocese, Chief of Staff: [e-mail] 1030
Wilbert “Skeet” Jones, Sexton
1028
Ed Keithly, Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary: [e-mail]
1015
Michael J. Kerr, Treasurer: [e-mail]
1020
Mildred Lofton, Bookkeeper: [e-mail]
1023
Bill Martin, Assistant to the Secretary: [e-mail]
1025
Kendall Martin, General Adminstrative Assistant: [e-mail]
1029
Lindsay Ryland, Transition Ministry Officer: [e-mail]
1013
Mitchell Sams, Bishop’s Clerk: [e-mail]
1038
Meg Schwarz, Assistant, Christian Formation: [e-mail]
1043
Julie Simonton, Staff Officer for Congregational Development & Stewardship:
1035
[e-mail]
Karen Smith, Receptionist/Assistant: [e-mail]
1010
Megan-Drew Tiller, Mission &