The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s recent gun buyback pulled 410 firearms off the streets in Maryland and out of homes — bringing the total number of weapons collected during our annual event to an impressive 1,056 over three years. People who saw the news reports congratulated me as the lead organizer, hailing the event as a success.

Yes, through our partnership with the Baltimore Police Department, we have significantly reduced the number of unwanted guns, including stolen weapons and high-powered, fully-automatic and semi-automatic firearms that spray bullets with a trigger pull.

But, as Pope Leo XIV implored from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the pandemic of gun violence continues to infect the world, and we must pray and act fervently to bring it to an end.

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