Proclamation Declaring June 3 Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wilton

Wilton First Selectwoman Lynne A Vanderslice declares today, Friday, June 3, 2022 Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wilton

PROCLAMATION 

DECLARING JUNE 3, 2022 TO BE GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY IN WILTON

WHEREAS, according to 2020 data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 45,222 individuals or 13.6 individuals per 100,000 in the United States and 219 or 6 individuals per 100,000 in Connecticut died from gun-related injuries; and

WHEREAS, 24,292 of those U.S. gun-related deaths were suicides, 25% more than 10 years prior; and

WHEREAS, 19,384 of those U.S. gun-related deaths were murders, 75% more than 10 years prior, and 79% of all murders in 2020 involved a gun, a percentage that was the highest since 1968, the oldest year for which the CDC provides online information; and

WHEREAS, 535 of those U.S. gun-related deaths were unintentional; and

WHEREAS, the FBI reported 61 active shooter incidents in 2021, 58 or 4,462% more than 10 years prior; and

WHEREAS, protecting the public is our highest responsibility; and

WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with gun safety; and

WHEREAS, we encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our children and our residents safe; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that First Selectwoman Lynne A. Vanderslice of the Town of Wilton declares June 3, 2022, to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day.  Residents are encouraged to reflect on the statistics and consider actions to reduce gun violence. In addition, to remember those whose lives were cut short or were injured by gun violence, residents are encouraged to Wear Orange on June 3^rd or 4^th or 5^th,  a color that symbolizes the value of human life.