A bus displays an add urging residents to "Put the Guns Down" as part of a newly launched campaign by eight Baltimore-area Catholic congregations. Photo courtesy Sisters of Bon Secours, USA.
A bus displays an add urging residents to "Put the Guns Down" as part of a newly launched campaign by eight Baltimore-area Catholic congregations. Photo courtesy Sisters of Bon Secours, USA.

Baltimore-area Catholic sisters are urging residents to “Put the Guns Down” as part of a city-wide advertising campaign for Gun Violence Awareness Month in June.

Amid a significant decline in homicides and non-fatal shootings, the campaign is seeking to further reduce – and ultimately put a stop to – gun violence in the Baltimore region.

Homicides in Baltimore were down nearly 24% in the first five months of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024. Meanwhile, there have been almost 40 fewer non-fatal shootings compared to last year, WJZ reported.

But the Catholic congregations warn the loss of federal grants, as well as the advancement of a bill in Congress to require states to recognize one another’s concealed carry firearms permits and standards, could unravel much of the work being done to prevent gun violence in Baltimore and beyond.

Eight congregations are involved in the “Put the Guns Down” campaign, including Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore Emmanuel Monastery; Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul; Province of St. Louise; Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart; Oblate Sisters of Providence; School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic Midwest Province; Sisters of Bon Secours, USA; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. East-West Province.

“The Catholic sisters have long stood for the dignity of every human life,” said Sister Elaine Davia, CBS, area leader of the Sisters of Bon Secours in the U.S, in a statement. “Through this campaign, we hope to be a visible and vocal presence in the city, calling for an end to the senseless violence that takes so many lives, especially young lives.”

Running throughout the month of June, the campaign involves displaying ads on the exterior of city buses, inside select buses, and on Baltimore-area Metro Subway transit lines.

“These ads are designed to reach thousands of residents daily with a simple, urgent plea: choose peace, protect lives and end the cycle of gun violence,” according to a news release.

Marcus Dieterle is the managing editor of Baltimore Fishbowl, where he covers the environment and education (among other topics). He helped lead the team to win a Best of Show award for Website of General...

One reply on “Catholic sisters launch anti-gun violence campaign on public transit”

  1. Thank you, sisters of Baltimore for encouraging those with guns to put them down.
    It’s a good month to have another gun buy-back by the archdiocese.
    Nancy Skinner

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