A Joint Resolution designating June 2 of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in the State of New Jersey.

Whereas, According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016 there were a total of 38,658 firearm related deaths in the United States and of those deaths an estimated 13,000 are attributed to firearm homicides; and

Whereas, The CDC data indicates that nationwide an annual average of 67,197 nonfatal firearm injuries occur; and

Whereas, According to the CDC, in New Jersey there were 485 firearm related deaths in 2016 and 475 firearm related deaths in 2015; and

Whereas, Americans are 25 times more likely to be murdered with firearms than people in other developed countries; and

Whereas, Firearm violence is the leading cause of death for women in instances of domestic violence in the United States each year; and

Whereas, Thousands of children under the age of 19 annually die as a result of firearms; and

Whereas, One example of these tragic child victims is Hadiya Pendleton who, at the age of 15, was shot and killed in Chicago just one week after performing at President Obama's second inaugural parade in 2013; and

Whereas, On June 2, 2013, a group of Chicago teens commemorated the life of their slain friend, Hadiya, by marching to raise awareness about firearm violence; and

Whereas, Many communities across the nation have marched annually on June 2 to recognize the death of Hadiya, to honor the many lives cut short and the hundreds more injured by firearm violence every day, and to demand action to end these tragedies; and

Whereas, Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping firearms away from dangerous people; and

Whereas, The goals of the national "Gun Violence Awareness Day" campaign are: to promote greater awareness about firearm violence and firearm safety; to concentrate annual heightened attention to firearm violence during the summer months, when firearm violence typically increases; and to bring citizens and community leaders together to discuss ways to make our communities safer; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey encourages all citizens to support their local communities' efforts to prevent the tragic effects of firearm violence and declares June 2 of every year as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in this State to honor and remember all victims and survivors of firearm violence and to declare that we as a country must do more to reduce firearm violence; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. June 2 of each year is designated as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey to honor and remember all victims of, and others affected by, firearm violence.

2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials, private organizations, and all citizens of this State to observe "Gun Violence Awareness Day" with appropriate awareness activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates June 2 of every year as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey to honor and remember all victims of, and others affected by, firearm violence. The resolution also requires the Governor to issue a proclamation calling on public officials and citizens of New Jersey to observe June 2 of every year as "Gun Violence Awareness Day."

The national "Gun Violence Awareness Day" campaign was established by the friends of Hadiya Pendleton to commemorate her life. Tragically, Hadiya, at the age of 15, was shot and killed in Chicago just one week after performing at President Obama's second inaugural parade. On June 2, 2013, Chicago teens first marched to raise awareness about firearm violence and honor the lives cut short every day because of firearm related violence.

Communities nationwide annually recognize "Gun Violence Awareness Day" to promote greater awareness about firearm violence and firearm safety, to concentrate heightened attention on firearm violence during the summer months, when this violence typically increases, and to bring citizens and community leaders together to discuss ways to make our communities safer.