AGENDA ITEM # 3
TOWN OF FAIRFAX PROCLAMATION
DECLARING JUNE 2023 TO BE
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
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 in other highincome countries; and WHEREAS, California has 3,253 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 8.1 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the state 41.9 billion each year, of which 1.1 billion is paid by taxpayers, with California having the 45th highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and WHEREAS, gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities, with more than half of all firearm related gun deaths in the nation occurring in 127 cities; and WHEREAS, cities across the nation, including in Fairfax, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions; and
WHEREAS, protecting public safety in the communities they serve is mayors’ highest responsibility; 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 —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; and WHEREAS, 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 city gun violence;
WHEREAS, the mayor proclaimed June 2, 2023, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, in honor of Hadiya Pendleton (born: June 2, 1997), who was tragically shot and killed at age 15; WHEREAS, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED, that Town of Fairfax declares the month of June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Month and all citizens are encouraged to support their local communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
Signed and dated this 7th day of June 2023,
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Chance Cutrano, Mayor of Fairfax