Action Alert: Stop Gun Trafficking to Latin America and the Caribbean
Take action for a safer world free of gun violence. Ask your Representatives and Senators to cosponsor the ARMAS Act and the Stop Arming Cartels Act.
According to experts, more than 70% of the firearms recovered from crimes in Latin America and the Caribbean were manufactured in the United States. Lax U.S. gun laws and a lack of transparency and oversight have contributed to increased gang violence, human rights violations, and the destabilization of nations across Latin America and the Caribbean.
For the safety of people all around the world, we urge Congress to support the America’s Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act and the Stop Arming Cartels Act.
To address this scourge of gun trafficking, Rep. Castro (D-TX) and Sen. Murphy (D-CT) have introduced H.R. 6736/S. 3508, the America’s Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act. This bicameral bill proposes returning oversight authority from the Commerce Department to the State Department. The bill also addresses gun regulations and other transparency measures for the safety of civilians both domestically and internationally.
Rep. Castro and Sen. Durbin (D-IL) have also introduced H.R. 923/S. 367, the Stop Arming Cartels Act, to further regulate firearms trafficked from the United States to Mexico and into the hands of transnational criminal organizations.
As United Methodists, we stand with the people and oppose all forms of violence and contributing factors. The United Methodist Church through its Social Principles and resolutions, condemn and recognize the ongoing harm of the use and trafficking of deadly weapons. The Book of Resolutions calls on United Methodists “to advocate at the local and national level for laws that prevent or reduce gun violence” (2020/2024 The Book of Resolutions #3212: Our Call to End Gun Violence).
As Christians, we are called to push the U.S. government to address root causes of conflict and migration and stop gun violence instead of contributing further to violence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Use the form below to urge your representatives and senators to cosponsor H.R. 6736/S. 3508, the ARMAS Act, and H.R. 923/S. 367, the Stop Arming Cartels Act.
