Sikhs Asked To Speak Out Against Gun Violence

A Sikh leader is calling on members of the Sikh religion across the nation to pressure lawmakers to pass tougher gun control laws.

Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), called for a day of prayer on Sunday, and asked all Sikhs to contact their elected officials and speak out against gun violence, according to a story on SikhSiyasat.net.

Tuesday will mark the six-month anniversary of the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek where six members were killed and four others were wounded on Aug. 5.

"During the service, we also request the Gurdwaras to stress the importance of Sikh community members to speak out and to ask congregants to contact their representatives to support gun control measures," Singh stated in a press release.

Singh also urged all people to participate in the "interfaith call-in day to prevent gun violence," which was held Monday.

According to Singh's press release, he's asking for a law that would:

• Require universal background checks for all gun purchases
• Ban semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
• Make gun trafficking a federal crime
• Improve access to mental health services
• Tell them that gun violence prevention laws work.

Also this week, the Milwaukee County Board will honor Oak Creek police Lt. Brian Murphy with a commendation. Murphy was the first officer on the scene of the shooting and survived 12 shots from gunman Wade Michael Page.