City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
JUNE 5, 2026
WHEREAS, National Gun Violence Awareness Day is observed each year on the first Friday in June to honor the lives lost to gun violence and to uplift survivors, families, and communities affected by these tragedies; and WHEREAS, gun violence remains a leading cause of death among American children and teens, surpassing motor vehicle accidents. In 2023, over 4,700 children and teens (ages 0–19) were killed by firearms in the United States, accounting for nearly 1 in 10 gun-related deaths nationwide; and WHEREAS, every day, more than 100 Americans are killed by gun violence, and on average, there are more than 13,000 gun-related homicides every year, and Americans are 25 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, supporting the Second Amendment and advocating for responsible gun ownership are not mutually exclusive with implementing common-sense measures to prevent gun violence, including universal background checks, safe storage laws, and red flag laws that help keep firearms out of the hands of individuals with dangerous histories; and
WHEREAS, research shows that gun violence is often preceded by warning signs and that effective intervention and support—especially around mental health, domestic violence, and youth conflict—can save lives and prevent further trauma in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael reaffirms its commitment to ending the epidemic of gun violence and calls on community members, leaders, and lawmakers to take action to reduce firearm-related deaths through education, advocacy, and policy reform. We pledge to promote safe gun storage, support violence intervention programs, and ensure that all San Rafael residents—especially our youth—can live free from the threat of gun violence.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and do hereby recognize the urgent need to address gun violence as a public health and safety crisis and urge all residents to join in the shared effort to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient community for all.
Kate Colin
Mayor