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Board proclaims June 6 National Gun Violence Awareness Day after Moms Demand Action presentation
Summary
Volunteers from the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action asked the board to declare June 6 National Gun Violence Awareness Day; the board read and accepted a proclamation noting local and national gun‑death statistics and encouraged responsible storage and prevention programs like Be Smart.
Volunteers from the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America described gun‑violence statistics to the Board of Education on June 5 and the board adopted a proclamation recognizing June 6, 2025 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
"Every day in the United States, more than 120 people are killed by a gun," volunteer David told the board as he summarized national and state statistics and research on suicide and homicide risks tied to firearm access. David and fellow volunteer Christy described the group's prevention work and education program called Be Smart, which focuses on adult responsibility for safe storage and provides free gun locks and community education.
The proclamation read into the record cites peer‑reviewed sources and local figures referenced by the speakers: it states that well over half of gun deaths nationally are suicides and that Kansas's share of gun deaths is higher than the national pattern; it references published literature saying the presence of a gun in the home increases suicide risk and that a firearm in the home increases intimate‑partner murder risk, and it specifically invoked Hadiya Pendleton and the Wear Orange remembrance that began after her death.
After the presentation board members thanked the volunteers and asked about Be Smart's outreach. Miss Foley asked how the education program reaches adults; Christy described tabling at community events, family nights and summer programs and said volunteers distribute pamphlets and free gun locks and partner with community organizations to reach parents and caregivers.
The proclamation, read at the meeting, directs that a copy be included in the board minutes and asks schools to support community prevention efforts on June 6 and beyond.
Speakers who presented identified themselves as volunteers with Moms Demand Action; the board accepted the proclamation and invited staff to explore opportunities for public information about the group's local resources.
