April 27th, 2019 was the day that a Jewish synagogue in Poway, California; which is approximately 20 miles away from San Diego, California was attacked. When a gunman armed with an AR-style riffle shooting into the congregation injuring the rabbi and several members.  The attack took place on the last day of the Jewish Passover holiday, which fell on Shabbat.

The accused gunman 19-year-old John Earnest appears to have written a seven page “manifesto” listing his core beliefs: the

Jewish people, in his beliefs are guilty for a range of things from killing Jesus to controlling the media, and in his mind they should die.

The attack, perpetrated allegedly by Earnest has sparked several debates. One being the current debate among evangelical about the role of certain Christian theology and the roles said theology played in the man’s beliefs. Christian leaders across the denominations, have renounced the violence and stated that the violence and white supremacy are the antithesis of Christian teachings and beliefs.

In a statement by the OPC denomination they renounced the violence; ” Anti-Semitism and racist hatred which apparently motivated the shooter… have no place within our system of doctrine .”

This also renews the topic of gun control laws within the United States. In recent years following events such as the Parkland, Florida school shooting and other school shootings around the country; the call for the stricter laws when it comes to the purchasing of guns.

While such laws are yet to be passed this event has renewed the discussion and with the majority of the 2020 democratic presidential candidates having more progressive policy ideas, there is a possibility that the laws could be passed in the near future.