NEWS

City Council recognizes national gun violence survivors week

By EMMA BARTLETT
Posted 1/31/23

By EMMA BARTLETT

Every year, over 40,000 Americans are killed with guns. Approximately 76,000 more are shot and wounded. City Council members recognized these survivors Jan. 23 in the unanimous …

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NEWS

City Council recognizes national gun violence survivors week

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Every year, over 40,000 Americans are killed with guns. Approximately 76,000 more are shot and wounded. City Council members recognized these survivors Jan. 23 in the unanimous passage of a resolution declaring the first week in February (Feb. 1 to Feb. 7) to be National Gun Violence Survivors Week.

“It’s [gun violence] something that unfortunately has impacted many lives here in Cranston. We want to commemorate their lives as well as the survivors of gun violence,” said Councilman John Donegan.

According to the resolution, approximately 43 individuals are killed in acts of gun violence each year and nearly 165 more are shot and wounded in Rhode Island. Additionally, “59 percent of American adults, including 71 percent of Black and 60 percent of Latinx Americans (or someone they care for) has experienced gun violence in their lifetime, demonstrating the reach and impact gun violence has in communities across America.”

“By early February, more Americans are killed with guns than are killed in our peer countries in an entire calendar year,” reads the resolution.

Donegan stated that there have been instances of gun violence occurring in the city over the last several years, specifically in Ward 3. He remembers showing up for the 2020 Election Day polls and learning that three streets down someone had been killed earlier that morning.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve tried to make an emphasis to highlight and bring to the forefront the issue of gun violence – not only as a national issue but something that does plague our city here in Cranston,” Donegan said.

The resolution calls for keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others and encouraging responsible gun ownership to keep communities safe. Work is being done across the nation to end senseless violence by advocating for common sense gun safety legislation.

Councilwoman Aniece Germain shared that a gun violence survivor is anyone who has personally experienced gun violence – whether the individual has witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun or had someone they knew and cared for wounded or killed.

“This is a reminder again for each one of us – within the power we have – to make sure we do something to decrease gun violence,” said Germain.

Council Vice-President Lammis Vargas echoed Germain’s sentiments, adding that her heart goes out to the families who’ve experienced gun violence.

The resolution states that forms of gun violence include (but are not limited to) gun suicides, gun homicides, domestic violence involving a gun, shootings by law enforcement and unintentional shootings. Firearms are also the leading cause of death for children and teens.

“We encourage all residents to support their communities’ efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives,” reads the resolution.

guns, violence, surivors

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