2024 House Resolution 272

Whereas, We honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence, especially those affected by the tragedies at Michigan State University and Oxford High School; and

Whereas, The effects of gun violence in the United States are pervasive and all-encompassing on every community; and

Whereas, Michigan has 1,406 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 14 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the state $16.8 billion each year, of which $380.5 million is paid by taxpayers. Michigan has the 28th highest rate of gun deaths in the US; and

Whereas, Every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than two hundred are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 18,000 gun homicides every year; and

Whereas, Americans are twenty-six times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and

Whereas, Since 1968, more individuals have died from guns in the United States than have died in the battlefields of all the wars in United States’ history; and

Whereas, Protecting public safety in the communities they serve is among a legislator’s highest responsibilities; and

Whereas, Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people that shouldn’t have them; and

Whereas, Gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see an increase in firearm homicides, and nonfatal shootings across the country, increased calls to domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence; and

Whereas, In January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15. On June 7, 2024, to recognize the 27th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton (born June 2, 1997), people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to her and other victims of gun violence, and the loved ones of those victims; and

Whereas, The idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange; they chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods, and orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life; and

Whereas, Anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on June 7th, the first Friday in June in 2024, to help raise awareness about gun violence; and

Whereas, By wearing orange on June 7, 2024, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors; and

Whereas, We renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare June 7, 2024, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage all citizens to support their communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human life all in an effort to end this public health crisis.