[1] In 1974, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society formed the National Coalition to Ban Handguns,[2] a group of thirty affiliated religious, labor, and nonprofit organizations, with the goal of addressing "the high rates of gun-related crime and death in American society" by requiring licensing of gun owners, registering firearms, and banning private ownership of handguns.

"Reasonable limited exceptions" were to be allowed for “police, military, licensed security guards, antique dealers who have guns in unfireable condition, and licensed pistol clubs where firearms are kept on the premises.”[3][4] In the 1980s and 1990s, the coalition expanded to 44 member groups.

[5] In 1989, following the Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton, California, the National Coalition to Ban Handguns changed its name to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, in part because the group believed that assault weapons as well as handguns, should be outlawed.

[1] According to CSGV, its mission was: "We believe that all Americans have a right to live in communities free from gun violence.

We pursue this goal through policy development, strategic engagement, and effective advocacy.