Local pastors call for more hands-on approach to tackle gun violence in Columbia

MORE Justice is advocating for the use of group violence intervention (GVI) to curb the number of gun crimes

By Tim Scott on ABC Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) —A group of Columbia pastors is encouraging city leaders to implement a more hands-on approach to combating gun violence.

The MORE Justice ministry, a group of 34 churches and congregations in Columbia, have focused their efforts this year on slowing the rate of gun violence in the city, a rate that doubled from 2018 to 2019.

“I’ve had the unfortunate task of presiding over and preaching funerals for victims of gun violence, and it’s a different kind of pain. It hurts anytime you lose a loved one, and gun violence in particular,” said Rev. Adam China of Adams Northeast AME Church.

The Columbia Police Department says there have been 28 incidents where a shooting has left someone injured this year, down from 46 at this point last year.