HomeMy Public PortalAbout05162023 Gun Violence Awareness Day
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
WHEREAS, every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and
wounded, with an average of more than 17,000 gun homicides every year; and
WHEREAS, Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people other high-income
countries; and
WHEREAS, Washington has an average of 781 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000
people, a crisis that costs the state $5 billion each year, of which $169 million is paid by the taxpayers, and
Washington has the 42nd highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and
WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping
guns away from people with dangerous histories; and
WHEREAS, mayors and law enforcement officers 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; and
WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see an increase in firearm homicides,
and nonfatal shootings across the country; and
WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 3, 2022
to recognize her birthday, people across the US will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness day and
wear orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, the idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked their classmates to
commemorate her life by wearing orange; a color they chose because hunters wear orange to announce
themselves to other hunters in the woods; and
WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 3, 2022 Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor
the lives of victims and survivors; 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;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I Mason Thompson, Mayor of Bothell, declare the first Friday in June,
June 2, 2023, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day. I encourage all citizens to support their local
communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
Signed this 16th day of May, 2023
_____________________________
Mason Thompson, Mayor
Mason Thompson (May 16, 2023 15:55 PDT)
Mason Thompson