In his book America and Its Guns pastor and self-proclaimed avid hunter James. E. Atwood maintains that our national obsession with firearms is rooted in the myth that God has appointed America as “the trustee of the civilization of the world” and empowered its citizens to carry weapons as a “redemptive” practice. But, Atwood warns, absolute trust in guns easily morphs into idolatry.

Atwood is pastor emeritus of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Virginia, and chair of Heeding God’s Call of Greater Washington, a faith-based ecumenical movement encouraging gun shops to end illegal purchases and the trafficking of handguns.

Co-sponsored by the Second Presbyterian Church, the Community Christian Church, and the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.