HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 06-03-2025; 8-e - National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 3, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-e
SUBJECT: National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Jamezetta Bedford, Chair, Board of
County Commissioners, 919-245-
2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing June 6, 2025 as National Gun Violence
Awareness Day.
BACKGROUND: Every day, more than 125 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than
200 are shot or wounded. Americans are 26 times more likely to be murdered with guns than
people in other developed countries. North Carolina ranks 24th amongst states for gun deaths in
the United States, with an average of 1,714 deaths every year with 56% of gun-related deaths by
suicide. Orange County supports efforts to enact common sense gun safety laws and educate
the community on gun safety. By wearing orange on June 6, 2025, Americans will raise
awareness about gun violence and honor the lives and lost human potential of Americans stolen
by gun violence.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact applicable to consideration of the attached
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services for adults and
children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and intellectual or
developmental disability.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY 2025
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, every day, more than 125 Americans are killed by gun violence and more
than 200 are shot or wounded; and
WHEREAS, Americans are 26 times more likely to be murdered with guns than people in
other developed countries; and
WHEREAS, firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina ranks 24th amongst states for gun deaths in the United States
with an average of 1,714 deaths every year with 56% of gun-related deaths by suicide;
and
WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding residents goes
hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from dangerous people; and
WHEREAS, together with our neighbors in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough,
Orange County supports efforts to enact commonsense gun safety laws and educate the
community on gun safety; and
WHEREAS, anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on Friday, June
6th to help raise awareness about gun violence; and
WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 6, 2025, Americans will raise awareness about
gun violence and honor the lives and lost human potential of Americans stolen by gun
violence; and
WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we
can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and encourage responsible gun ownership
to help keep our children safe;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
proclaim that June 6, 2025, is "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and encourage
everyone to support their local communities' efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun
violence and to honor and value human lives.
Adopted this 3rd day of June, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners