CARRBORO, NC -- Carrboro recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 7, as proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee.
Gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see an increase in firearm homicides and nonfatal shootings across the country, increased calls to domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in gun violence.
Towns and cities across the nation, including Carrboro, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions. Protecting public safety in the communities they serve is local government’s highest responsibility.
Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories. Elected officials and law enforcement officers—in partnership with local violence intervention activists and resources—know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe.
In January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, an honor student, was tragically shot and killed at age 15 and on June 7, 2024, to recognize the 27th birthday of Hadiya, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to her as well as victims of gun violence and their loved ones.
The idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange. They chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods, and orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life.
Anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on Friday, June 7 to help raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors.
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 and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe.
Read the full proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions
###