NOBLE Recognizes June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month

June 7, 2019 

[Alexandria, VA] As an organization dedicated to the cause of justice in our communities, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) encourages all those who make the U.S. their home to observe June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month.  Gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in America. The issue of gun violence has a complicated history that is deeply rooted in our culture, but we must take this issue seriously and treat it as the public health and public safety crisis that it has become.

 

The data justifying the need for an increased awareness of gun violence is stark, including these statistics presented by the organization, Everytown for Gun Safety:

• 100 Americans are killed every day with guns.
• Firearms are the second leading cause of death of American children and teens and the first leading cause of death for Black children and teens.
• Access to guns increase the death of suicide by 3x.
• 58 percent of American adults or someone they care for have experienced gun violence in their lifetime.

"Gun violence is one of the leading threats we face today, tearing apart the lives of families throughout our nation," said NOBLE National President, Vera Bumpers. "We firmly support the goals of reducing gun violence and increasing the safety of our communities, particularly for our children and teens who so often become the victims of this violence. We urge concerned Americans to participate in Wear Orange Weekend, June 7-9, 2019 and engage your family and loved ones in frank, honest discussions about the importance of responsible gun ownership and gun safety."

 

This weekend thousands from across the country will gather in support of common sense gun violence solutions and rallying efforts showcasing the toll gun violence has taken on the lives of children, families and communities. Wear Orange Weekend 2019 is June 7-9, 2019. If you would like to find a gun violence awareness event in your community, please click here.

    

###

 

About the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 

1. Since 1976, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has served as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. NOBLE represents over 3,000 members internationally, who are primarily African-American chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners. For more information, visit http://www.noblenational.org.