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TRIGGER: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence

In the United States more than 30,000 people are killed every year by gun violence; many more are wounded. The disaster caused by gun violence is seen in almost every community. We may hear briefly about the victims and survivors of these shootings, but what happens after the media attention moves on and the wider public becomes numb to "just another shooting"?

Drawing upon conversations with lawmakers, emergency room chaplains and surgeons, survivors and victims' families, former ATF officials, police officers, community leaders and others, TRIGGER: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence, a one hour documentary produced with funds from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, shares the story of how gun violence impacts individuals and communities and examines the "ripple effect" that one shooting has on a survivor, a family, a community and a society. TRIGGER also addresses the critical issue of gun violence prevention (such as keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill) by moving the conversation away from the polarizing extremes that have long dominated the debate and lifting up the voice and experiences of those who seek common ground and a new way forward. 

The documentary frames gun violence as a “Disaster” and “Public Health” issue by taking an in depth look at how one shooting impacts individuals, families and communities, while also giving voice to the questions and insights that arise from these conversations.  In our interviews all those scarred by gun violence eventually arrived at the same question─”Why...Why did this happen to us?” After looking at these in depth experiences of gun violence TRIGGER turns its attention to the bigger question─”What can we do to prevent gun violence?”   

Watch the trailer

TRIGGER – Ask for it!

Several programs of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have joined together to produce TRIGGER: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,  a documentary sharing the story of how gun violence impacts individuals and communities and examines the "ripple effect" that one shooting has on a survivor, a family, a community and a society.

In light of the most recent incidents of gun violence in our country, we encourage you to view TRIGGER.  The documentary has been selected to be shown on NBC from November 2012 through May 2013 as a part of its Horizons of the Spirit series.  While the program is available for nationwide broadcast, local NBC affiliates have the option of choosing to air the program and selecting the time when it will air.  This is why we encourage you to ASK FOR IT!

1. Call your NBC station.  Ask the station to schedule and show the NBC Horizons of the Spirit program TRIGGER: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence. Request that it be scheduled during a time to reach the most viewers.
   • Find your local NBC station
   • Sample script for calling your local station
2. Spread the word.  Ask your congregation and other groups to call and help your local affiliates choose to air the broadcast. Tell your local NBC station this program would have a positive impact in the community as it helps to lift up the many effects gun violence has on a community after the immediate shock of the event.
3. Watch it together.  We encourage congregations and community groups to view the film together.  Then engage in conversation on how you can become involved in helping address needs within your community related to gun violence from a faith perspective. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has some resources available on its website www.pcusa.org/gunviolence.
4. Say thank you.  After the program airs, communicate your appreciation by sending a note or e-mail of thanks to the station.  Be specific about what impact the program had on you and others who may have watched it.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Policy on Gun Violence

The 219^th General Assembly in 2010 approved the resolution “Gun Violence, Gospel Values:  Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call,” and that’s just what Presbyterians have been doing since then.  In the past 2 years a movement has been building to not only awaken our members and worshiping communities to the faith dimensions of this on-going tragedy, but also to assist them in initiatives to more effectively address the problem of gun violence. 

To learn more on the church’s gun violence policy read “Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call.”