Fiction stories (especially movies) are often implicated in America’s stunning level of gun violence. Local theater artists hope that storytelling can also sway people away from guns.

Pittsbugh PACT (Public Action Community Theatre) seeks short written works, including plays, for its gun-control community arts action, to be held Downtown on Sat., Jan. 26.

The event is a collaboration with activist troupe NoPassport, which is leading a theater action in Washington, D.C., and groups including OnePittsburgh and CeaseFirePA. The actions are scheduled to coincide with that day’s national gun-control march on Washington.

Playwrights, storytellers, poets, singer-songwriters and stand-up comics are among those asked to submit work. Send short works (8 minutes max) or proposals to [email protected] by this Friday. Material should be suitable for either no-frills performance by its author (if available) or script-in-hand reading by actors (with little or no rehearsal).

Other kinds of artists — visual artists, dancers, etc. — are welcome to participate. Actors and directors are also sought. Contact the organizers at [email protected].

The program will also include works submitted by national and international writers to NoPassport for its event.

“Although the point of the event is to support sensible legislation that reduces gun violence and makes us all safer,” writes organizer Kyle Bostian in a release, “we hope to include submissions that reflect a range of perspectives on and approaches to the problem and its possible solutions. We welcome rants and polemics, heartfelt appeals and personal histories, as well as more balanced pieces that explore the complexities or conflicting sides of the issue.”

The gun-control community arts action will be held 4-6 p.m. January 26. The venue is the Bricolage Productions space, at 937 Liberty Ave.