FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) -- A Fort Wayne pastor is planning to fast for 40 days as a statement against gun violence that's killed 15 people in the northeastern Indiana city so far this year.
The Rev. Bill McGill told his congregation at Imani Baptist Church on Sunday that he'll fast for 40 days starting Wednesday and running through May 19.
I don't doubt the pastor's sincerity, but this isn't the most effective use of a fast. Those are good for shaming indifferent officials into some kind of action they wouldn't take in the absence of public pressure. If there's something officials haven't tried yet to curb gun violence, I don't know what it would be. Gun violence is the result of individual human beings making the choice to misuse firearms. It's not like there's a "stop the violence" button the politicians are refusing to push.
