Township council approved a proclamation at its May 18 meeting that declares the first Friday in June National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Mount Laurel, to honor victims and survivors of gun violence.
The document also calls for the country to work at ending the public-health crisis.
Councilman Curtis Green read the proclamation, which provided statistics on the growing number of U.S. deaths from gun violence.
Every day, nearly 130 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 260 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 homicides every year. U.S. residents are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries.
New Jersey has more than 4,000 gun deaths a year, with a rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, at a cost to the state of $5.3 billion a year, $168.9 million of it from taxpayers. The state has the fifth-lowest rate of gun deaths in the country.
“Gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities, with more than half of all gun homicides in the nation occurring in 42 cities,” Green read from the proclamation. “Cities across the nation are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions.
“Protecting public safety in the communities they serve is a mayor’s highest responsibility,” the document added. “Support for the second amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand in hand with keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others.”
Hadiya Pendleton was only 15 when she was shot to death in January of 2013, just after performing at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. To honor the Chicago resident’s 29th birthday next month, the U.S. will recognize National Gus Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 5.
Residents in all states are encouraged to wear orange as a way of acknowledging gun victims and their loved ones. The idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends; orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life.
“We renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them,” Green read, “and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe.”
The New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action – a grassroots organization that works to end gun violence – attended the council meeting and was presented the proclamation for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
“i want to just thank the township council for being supporters of this proclamation,” noted chapter head Karen Tillman. “We’ve had this (proclamation recognized) for many years, and we appreciate your support with this cause.”
