Reform Movement Applauds the Supreme Court Decision in NYSRPA v. City of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2019

Reform Movement Applauds the Supreme Court Decision in NYSRPA v. City of New York

WASHINGTON – In response to the Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. City of New York, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the wider Reform Movement Institutions:

“We applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to declare the challenge against New York City’s repealed transport ban on licensed firearms moot. The city repealed the rule in question last summer before the Supreme Court heard the case, thus resolving the plaintiff’s complaints. While we appreciate the Court recognizing that this particular case was resolved by the legislative process, we remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine other lifesaving and constitutional gun safety legislation, including laws barring public carry and assault weapon bans.

“Jewish tradition understands the importance of creating safe communities. The Torah teaches ‘When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet [fence] for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it’ (Deuteronomy 22:8). We are responsible for taking proactive steps to prevent injury and death, and as such we support a variety of gun safety legislation. By failing to act, we are  responsible for the lives lost to gun violence.

“We will continue to fight for lifesaving gun violence prevention laws across the country.”

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 850 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.RAC.org for more.