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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Office of Public Information JEWISH COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS STUNNED AT YESTERDAY'S SHOOTING AT WEDGWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH IN FORT WORTH JCPA Chair Urges Conference Committee to Accelerate Discussion on Gun Control Measures and Urges House Passage New York - September 16, 1999 - In response to yesterday's tragic shootings at the Wedgwood Baptist Church in southwest Fort Worth, Texas, the Chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Steven Schwarz, issued the following statement: "The horrifying event that occurred yesterday at the Wedgwood Baptist Church is deeply felt by our community. As with schools and community centers, violent attacks occurring in houses of worship are particularly distressing. We stand more vulnerable in churches, synagogues, and mosques which open themselves to all who seek comfort and solace in prayer. Our community is pained by this tragedy and we stand together with the Fort Worth community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and friends of those killed and injured. This shocking event follows far too many recent murderous rampages that extremists and disturbed individuals have committed - all with guns. Though tighter gun control will not eradicate violent crimes altogether, stricter measures than those currently in existence will lessen the opportunities for deranged individuals and extremists with delusional political agendas to acquire guns. The JCPA believes this country needs to enact significant gun control legislation. Measures for increased gun control are currently being debated by Congress in conference committee. The JCPA calls upon our legislators to speedily enact the modest proposals under consideration. The American people have made clear their insistence that an efficient and effective response is required to the powerful and disturbing effects guns have on our society. The tragedy in Fort Worth only underscores the importance of immediate action." ### The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community and serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 122 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations. |
