Religious leaders call for prayer and tighter gun control after Colorado shooting

…religious leaders argued that the U.S. needs tougher gun control laws. Holmes had four guns, including an assault rifle, according to law enforcement authorities.

Kathryn Mary Lohre, president of the National Council of Churches, called on elected officials to “seek policies that will foster greater peace in our communities and throughout this country.”

The NCC, which represents about 10,000 congregations — most from mainline Protestant, historically African-American and Orthodox traditions — passed a resolution on ending gun violence in 2010.

Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, echoed the NCC’s call, noting that the shooting occurred in the same state as the 1999 Columbine High School attack.

“Although details about this gunman and shooting are still coming to light, this horror reinforces the need to ensure that common-sense gun control laws are in place to help reduce such acts of violence,” Saperstein said.

The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and culture editor at America magazine, tweeted on Friday morning: “Gun control is a pro-life issue. … Pray for the families of the victims and for an end to the taking of life by senseless violence.”

Later Friday, the popular spiritual author Anne Lamott tweeted, “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy. Is no one going to say that these massacres (wouldn’t) happen if the crazy men had to use bats or hammers?”

To read the rest of the story, head to Religion News Service.