In a recent council meeting, the Denver City Council declared the first Friday of June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the entire month of June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. This proclamation comes in response to alarming statistics surrounding gun violence in the United States and Colorado, where gun-related deaths have seen a significant increase in recent years.

The council highlighted that over 44,000 Americans are killed by guns annually, with nearly 97,000 more injured. The U.S., which comprises only 4% of the global population, accounts for 35% of worldwide suicides, with Americans being 25 times more likely to die from gun violence than individuals in other high-income countries. In Colorado specifically, gun deaths have surged by 48% from 2013 to 2022, with gun suicides increasing by 23% and gun homicides by a staggering 159%.

The proclamation also noted the tragic impact of gun violence on children and teens, stating that firearms are the leading cause of death in this demographic in Colorado. An average of 84 children and teens die from gun-related incidents each year, with nearly half of these deaths attributed to suicide. In 2023 alone, there were 12 firearm-related deaths among children aged 18 and younger in Colorado.

The council's resolution aims to honor the memory of victims of gun violence, including Hidayah Pendleton, a teenager who was killed shortly after participating in President Obama's inaugural parade. The initiative encourages responsible gun ownership and community efforts to combat gun violence, emphasizing the need to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.

The proclamation was moved and seconded during the meeting, reflecting a unified commitment among council members to address the ongoing crisis of gun violence in their community.