Memphis Mayor A C Wharton says he applauds the president's efforts in gun control, but adds that we cannot wait on Washington or even the state capitol to end gun violence, especially in Memphis youth. He says the effort starts in our home front.
"Now's the time to say ‘Enough.' So just take on your individual causes and say ‘This is what I'll do. I can't change the world but I can change my house, I can change my family, my street,' says Wharton.
Churches are the heartbeat of our communities, which is Wharton says is preaching his message about the "Memphis Gun Down" initiative.
"We're going to make sure the church is empowered, backed up, everything; they're going to have the resources, but we need them to reach the people. They're touching folks in there right now," says Wharton.
As a part of Memphis Gun Down, Wharton is calling on churches to share a list of church activities with everyone, especially youth, as an alternative to guns and gangs. He's also asking them to have prayer walks and services in areas after violence.
"Spread from your individual prayers to the group prayers of churches and then go outside the church into the neighborhood into the community. Tell all the churches about what you're doing," says Wharton.
