Sen. Murray’s Statement on National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Today, people across the nation will join together in the second annual “National Gun Violence Awareness Day”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Last week, Senator Murray joined several of her Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution in the Senate establishing today, June 2, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and designating June as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.” 

“Tens of thousands of people are killed by gunfire each year, including those tragically lost in Marysville, Seattle, and too many other communities in Washington state. As a mother, a grandmother, and a U.S. Senator, I believe we? can’t just let this continue as usual,” said Senator Murray.  “I’ve heard from so many people in Washington state who don’t want to be afraid to send their kids to school or go to the mall. Throughout this month we must recommit to common sense steps to make our communities safer, from expanded background checks to increased gun safety education.”

Every day in America, an average of 297 men, women and children are shot, 91 of them fatally.  Establishing a day to bring attention to the issue of gun violence honors the thousands of Americans who are victims of gun violence every year. The resolution also urges citizens and community leaders to concentrate heightened attention on gun violence during June, when gun violence typically spikes at the start of the summer months, and to work together to make our communities safer from this violence. 

Gun violence is an issue that affects communities in every state across the country.  Each year more than 32,000 people in America are killed and 80,000 are injured by gunfire.  On June 2, 2016, people across the nation will join together in the second annual “National Gun Violence Awareness Day.”  To see a full list of Senate and House members who supported the resolution, click here.

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