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2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY 2026 <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> WHEREAS, every day, more than 120 Americans die from gun-related injuries and hundreds <br /> more are shot and wounded; and <br /> WHEREAS, the United States experiences significantly higher rates of firearm deaths than <br /> comparable developed nations; and <br /> WHEREAS, approximately 1,800 people die from gun-related injuries each year in North <br /> Carolina, and more than half of those deaths are suicides; and <br /> WHEREAS, we honor the survivors of gun violence and remember those whose lives have been <br /> lost or forever changed by firearm violence in communities across our nation and here in North <br /> Carolina; and <br /> WHEREAS, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand <br /> with keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill supports efforts such as North Carolina's NC S.A.F.E. <br /> (Secure All Firearms Effectively) initiative to promote responsible gun ownership, secure firearm <br /> storage, theft prevention, and education that help keep children, families, and communities safe; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, reducing gun violence requires collaboration among residents, educators, <br /> healthcare providers, community organizations, and public officials to support prevention, <br /> intervention, education, and healing; and <br /> WHEREAS, together with our neighbors in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, Orange <br /> County supports efforts to enact commonsense gun safety laws and educate the community on <br /> gun safety; and <br /> WHEREAS, anyone can join this campaign by pledging to Wear Orange on Friday, June 5, 2026 <br /> and throughout Wear Orange Weekend to help raise awareness about gun violence; and <br /> WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 5th, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence <br /> and honor the lives lost and the human potential taken by gun violence; and <br /> WHEREAS, we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to <br /> keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim June <br /> 5, 2026, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and encourage everyone to support their <br /> local communities' efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value <br /> human lives. <br /> Adopted this 2nd day of June, 2026. <br /> Jean Hamilton, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />