An Assembly Resolution recognizing "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey.

Whereas, Every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 17,000 gun homicides every year; and

Whereas, Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and

Whereas, After the lapse of the assault weapon ban in 2004, there has been a 183 percent increase in high fatality mass shootings, and a 239 percent increase in deaths from these shootings; and

Whereas, Since 2018, an average of more than one mass shooting has occurred each day in the United States; and

Whereas, Since 2020, guns have become the leading cause of death for American children, ahead of motor vehicle crashes and cancer; and

Whereas, Protecting public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of government; and

Whereas, New Jersey has the fifth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States; and

Whereas, New Jersey has the seventh lowest rate of gun injuries in the United States; and

Whereas, New Jersey is not immune to the tragedies of gun violence, however, as each year 874 people in this State are wounded by guns, with a rate of 9.8 injuries per 100,000 people; and

Whereas, In an average year, 427 people die by guns in New Jersey, with a rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the State $594 per resident each year; and

Whereas, In New Jersey, the rate of gun suicide increased 15 percent and gun homicide decreased two percent from 2012 to 2021; and

Whereas, Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens must go hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories; and

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

Whereas, This House is devoted to protecting our youth at school, and people at their workplace, during recreation, and at their place of worship; and

Whereas, The desire of this House is for all the people of this State to be able to live their lives free from the burden of gun violence; and

Whereas, This House encourages all citizens to support efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives; and

Whereas, June 2nd of every year has been designated as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey to honor and remember all victims of, and others affected by, gun violence; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House recognizes "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey and encourages all citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor and the Attorney General.

STATEMENT

This resolution recognizes "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey.

June 2nd of every year has been designated as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in New Jersey to honor and remember all victims of, and others affected by, gun violence.

Every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 17,000 gun homicides every year. In an average year, 427 people die by guns in New Jersey, with a rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the State $594 per resident each year.

Gun violence prevention is more important than ever as there is an increase in gun homicides and nonfatal shootings across the country, increased calls to suicide and domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in city gun violence.