United Church of Wayland is launching a Gun Safety Initiative as a key part of its commitment to community well being and child safety.  

The meeting of the Gun Safety Initiative will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the United Church of Wayland, 411 East Superior St., Wayland.

As part of its Gun Safety Initiative, United Church of Wayland is sponsoring a meeting of community leaders, including local law enforcement, area school systems and churches, to discuss issues about safe gun storage and protecting children from firearm accidents.

All interested parties are invited to attend. This meeting will serve as a platform to create a task force of community leaders and stakeholders to work on these goals and to discuss the needs and opportunities in our area.  

Gail Hollinger, community activist and spokesperson for United Church, said, “Guns are now the leading cause of death for children and teens. An unlocked gun at home increases risk of homicide by two times, suicide by three times, and domestic-violence fatality by five times.  Every day, an average of eight children and teens are unintentionally shot, involving an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home.”

“This campaign is avoiding any position on gun-control laws,” said Committee Chair Nancy Whitley, whose late husband was a Michigan State Police Trooper. “We are not entering that forum. However, innocent adults and children are being killed and injured. Families are devastated and suffering. We believe we can – and must – act to prevent further gun violence.

“This gun-safety social justice action is solely to bring safety measures into place to save lives, especially the lives of our children.” 

Through the efforts of Whitley, United Church of Wayland recently received a grant from the United Church of Christ to support this work.