HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 06-02-2026; 8-d - National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 2, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-d
SUBJECT: National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Jean Hamilton, Chair, Board of County
Commissioners, 919-245-2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing June 5, 2026 as National Gun Violence
Awareness Day.
BACKGROUND: Every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and hundreds
more are shot or wounded. The United States experiences significantly higher rates of firearm
deaths than comparable developed nations. Approximately 1,800 people die from gun-related
injuries each year in North Carolina, and more than half of those deaths are suicides. Orange
County supports efforts to enact common sense gun safety laws and educate the community on
gun safety. By wearing orange on June 5, 2026, Americans will raise awareness about gun
violence and honor the lives and lost human potential of Americans stolen by gun violence.
Officials from Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough will gather
for a Wear Orange / Gun Violence Awareness Day rally on Friday, June 5, at 9:00 am at Peace
& Justice Plaza.
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 2026
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, every day, more than 120 Americans die from gun-related injuries and hundreds
more are shot and wounded; and
WHEREAS, the United States experiences significantly higher rates of firearm deaths than
comparable developed nations; and
WHEREAS, approximately 1,800 people die from gun-related injuries each year in North
Carolina, and more than half of those deaths are suicides; and
WHEREAS, we honor the survivors of gun violence and remember those whose lives have been
lost or forever changed by firearm violence in communities across our nation and here in North
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand
with keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others;
and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill supports efforts such as North Carolina's NC S.A.F.E.
(Secure All Firearms Effectively) initiative to promote responsible gun ownership, secure firearm
storage, theft prevention, and education that help keep children, families, and communities safe;
and
WHEREAS, reducing gun violence requires collaboration among residents, educators,
healthcare providers, community organizations, and public officials to support prevention,
intervention, education, and healing; and
WHEREAS, together with our neighbors in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, 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 5, 2026
and throughout Wear Orange Weekend to help raise awareness about gun violence; and
WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 5th, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence
and honor the lives lost and the human potential taken 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 hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim June
5, 2026, as "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 2nd day of June, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners