The Episcopal Church leaders recently expressed fears about the rise of grave concerns in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. (NYSRPA) v. Bruen case on Thursday, June 23.

'Raise Grave Concerns'

In a statement on the Episcopal Church website, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, and President of the House of Deputies, Gay Clark Jennings, reacted to the abolishment of New York's regulation on firearms.

As the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of NYSRPA, the two Episcopal Church leaders expressed fears that the decision would start more firearms in the communities and would lead to more gun violence in churches and other houses of worship.

However, the Episcopal Church will continue its advocacy for preventing laws against gun violence,

Also, the Bishops United Against Gun Violence has recently written a statement that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling places the people in the church community more at risk when they gather for service.

The Episcopal Church leaders encouraged everyone to offer prayers to the victims and families who lost loved ones due to gun violence.

Recent Gun Violence Details

One of the best examples of a prominent church gun violence was reported by ABC News, which happened on Thursday, June 16. 

As reported, a gunman attended a church event and started to start shooting at the Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Authorities identify the suspect as a 70-year-old man Robert Findlay Smith, the ABC News revealed.

The police said that at least three people were shot fatally, identified as Walter Rainey, 84 years old, Sarah Yeager, 75 years old, and an 84-year-old unidentified woman.

The authorities reportedly believed that the gunman did the shooting alone, and the motive was not clear. 

Reverend Douglas said that about 25 people were at the event. His wife, Ann Carpenter, revealed that the gunman attended the church every Sunday and would always sit in the back and not interact with anyone.

Details of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen Case

The New York state has a law that prohibits the possession of firearms without a license or must obtain an unrestricted license to carry a concealed gun if he/she can prove that a proper cause exists, whether inside or outside the home.

According to a report from Ballot Pedia, the NYSRPA v. Bruen case was started when Robert Nash and Brandon Koch, members of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, applied for an unrestricted license to carry a gun in public places for self-defense.

However, the licensing officer was reportedly issued a restricted license that can be used for a specific purpose only. 

Nash and Koch requested to remove the restrictions of their license with the support of their request but still got denied.

Together with the NYSRPA, Nash and Koch filed a lawsuit to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York for a violation of their constitutional rights.

In April 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in the court and had their oral argument in November 2021, as reported.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the NYSRPA in June 2022.

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