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I3*201"0�'1 <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL YOUTH -LED EFFORTS CALLING FOR <br />STATE AND NATIONAL ACTION TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS AND <br />COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE <br />WHEREAS, gun violence is a crisis in the United States, especially for children; and <br />WHEREAS, the US has the highest rate of gun violence among its peers, including nearly six times <br />the gun homicide rate of Canada, more than seven times that of Sweden, and nearly 16 times that of <br />Germany; and <br />WHEREAS, on average, two dozen children are shot every day in the United States; and <br />WHEREAS, more than 150,000 students attending at least 170 primary or secondary schools have <br />experienced a shooting on campus since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999; and <br />WHEREAS, along with school shootings, countless other lives are impacted by gun violence that <br />do not make headlines every day. Ninety -six Americans are shot and killed and hundreds more are <br />wounded each day in this country; and <br />WHEREAS, every child deserves to learn in a school that is safe and adults must do more to protect <br />our students and schools from gun violence; and <br />WHEREAS, young people in our community are taking the lead, in solidarity with Marjory <br />Stoneman Douglas High School, in calling for action by state and national leaders and asking that <br />adults listen and follow their lead; and <br />WHEREAS, these grassroots and youth -led efforts build on the momentum of Black Lives Matter, <br />the Dream Defenders, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Americans for <br />Responsible Solutions, and other efforts to amplify the majority of voices who support sensible gun <br />control legislation in the U.S; and <br />WHEREAS, these youth are taking part in protests and other actions to demand that they be kept <br />safe in their schools; and <br />WHEREAS, we reject arming teachers or other acts that would put more guns and fear in our <br />schools; <br />THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports our <br />youth in their assertions that sensible gun control legislation efforts including universal background <br />checks, waiting periods, and an assault weapon ban will prevent gun violence; and <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners supports <br />the youth -led actions to make their voices heard and calls on the community and State and federal <br />