Topic overview
In brief
- The Archdiocese of Baltimore collected 431 firearms during a recent event.
- The firearms included various types, some of which were stolen.
- The initiative aims to promote peace and support families affected by violence.
Summary
In the United States, the Archdiocese of Baltimore held its fourth annual gun buyback and peace-building fair at the Westside Shopping Center in Southwest Baltimore on Saturday. This event resulted in the collection of 431 firearms, which included 108 revolvers, 124 semi- and fully-automatic weapons, and 199 rifles and shotguns. Some of these firearms were reported as stolen. Since the program's inception in 2023, nearly 1,500 firearms have been collected by the Baltimore Police Department as part of an ongoing effort to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence in the community.
Rev. Michael Murphy, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish and St. Joseph's Monastery, emphasized the importance of removing weapons from homes, stating that it can save lives in fragile situations and prevent firearms from being stolen and used in criminal acts. The initiative aims not only to reduce the number of unwanted weapons but also to foster a sense of community and the value of human life. The archdiocese plans to use excess funding raised from Catholic parishes and individual donors to support families of homicide victims and survivors of violence.