Fort Lauderdale proclaims June 2025 National Gun Violence Awareness Month

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission on Tuesday proclaimed June 2025 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month, citing data on firearm deaths and naming local partners working on prevention and crisis support.

The proclamation, signed by Mayor Dean J. Trantellis, noted that suicide accounts for nearly six in 10 gun deaths in the United States and that firearms are the most commonly used method in those deaths. It also referenced national and local impacts: the proclamation cited nearly 7,000 veteran deaths annually attributed to suicide nationwide and stated that Fort Lauderdale recorded 19 homicides and 5 suicides by firearms in 2024 and, to that date in 2025, 12 homicides and 8 suicides.

The city highlighted evidence‑based strategies including safe storage, community education, responsible gun ownership and access to mental health resources. The proclamation commended local partners, including Hero for Hero, the 988 lifeline, 2-1-1 Broward and the League of Women Voters of Broward County for promoting safe firearm storage through a “lock it up” initiative. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s ShotSpotter gunshot‑detection system was also noted in the proclamation as a public‑safety tool used by the department.

Allison Myers of the League of Women Voters of Broward County thanked the commission and urged safe storage. “Locking up guns saves lives,” Myers said, and she reminded residents that the 988 lifeline is the number for mental health crisis support and that free gun locks were available at the city desk.

The proclamation directs city leaders and residents to support efforts that reduce the tragic impacts of gun violence and memorializes victims during Gun Violence Awareness Month.