(Photo: Everytown for Gun Safety)
At the behest of at least one gun-control organization, lawmakers in the House and Senate have proposed a resolution to make June 2nd “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and the month of June “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.”
The resolution was spearheaded by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D), who were undoubtedly swayed to introduce the measure by Everytown for Gun Safety, the gun-control organization funded by billionaire business magnate Michael Bloomberg.
Everytown has been pushing to make June 2nd “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” since 2014. Every year since then, Everytown has been asking its members and followers to “wear orange” to acknowledge, as the website says, “there’s more we can do to end gun violence.”
“We wear orange on June 2 to honor on that day the people whose lives are affected everyday by gun violence in America. We have communities where parents are afraid to let their kids outside to play, to sit on their own front porches or even walk to the corner store. No one in America, no matter your region or zip code, should ever have to live this way,” said Kelly, in a press release.
The wear orange concept was inspired by Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl who was fatally shot in the back while standing with friends in a Chicago park on January 29, 2013. On her birthday that year, June 2, 2013, friends and family members of Pendleton gathered in the park where she was gunned down to promote non-violence by wearing orange, a nod to hunters who wear bright orange for safety.
“The determination of Hadiya’s family and friends to find purpose in their pain in working to make all communities safer is an inspiration to me and to all who believe in the right of every child to live free from the threat of gun violence,” added Kelly.
The two men who were connected to the shooting of Pendleton, Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, were known gang members. Ward, the gunman, was on probation at the time of the shooting after pleading guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. In addition to that charge, Ward was arrested for breaking into vehicles, misdemeanor trespassing, and as a minor, arrested for robbery, battery and marijuana possession.
The two men told police that Pendleton was not the intended target. The men apparently confused the group she was standing with as rival gang members.
Perhaps, “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” misses the mark. Perhaps instead of focusing on the hardware, Bloomberg’s group and these lawmakers ought to launch a “Gang Violence Awareness Day.” After all, gangbangers are responsible for much of the violence that is perpetrated in this country, whether that be with guns or baseball bats or knives or chains or any object that can be used to cause harm.
If we shut down the gangs, gang violence will disappear. If we ban guns like so many of these advocates would like, gang violence will still be prevalent.
Senators cosponsoring the resolution include: U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Al Franken (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Jack Reed (D-RI).
Representatives cosponsoring the resolution include: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Rep. Charles B. Rangel (NY), Rep. Mike Thompson (CA), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH), Rep. Tammy Duckworth (IL), Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA), Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ), Rep. Fudge (OH).
Much needed, a gun violence awareness day. Go out and shoot a lawMAKER to be sure they understand how much we hate their progressive guts.
Once again we have been deceived by those who we put in office to preserve and protect the Constitution. We are in danger of losing our 2nd Amendment rights, and now the Socialist Republic of Californication is passing a law attacking the 1st Amendment by criminalizing anyone who speaks against their Climate Change lies.
Gang Violence and violent criminals are the real problems to address. But no, it’s far easy to blame the guns!!
If they really want to do something to “honor” her, why not celebrate her life instead of her death? Do it on her birthday…
Pathetic loosers!!
Ooops, I forgot. What else can you expect from a senator named ‘DICK’…
Yep good old Chicago pol creates “Gun Violence Awareness Month” . Thanks Dick Durbin Democrat asshat and gas bag. What have you done about “Gang Violence Awareness”? or maybe “Knife Violence Awareness”? I’ll tell you. Absolutely NOTHING. Another flaming liberal gun grabber cavorting with other liberal gun grabbers like Everytown and it will do nothing to stop the murders in the predominately black neighborhoods of Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Atlanta, or any other major U.S. city under decades of Democrat rule. Cities that have turned into virtual war zones and none of the firearms used in any of the murders are purchased legally. These places have some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation and the violence is worse there than anywhere else.
These people never cease to amaze me and make no mistake they will never give up until they’ve completely repealed the 2nd amendment to the constitution. Their goal isn’t reducing any kind of “gun violence” or any other kind, their goal is complete control over the population so they have the guns and we don’t. Good luck with that!!!
I want a gang violence day. It’s NEVER mentioned it seems.
We should have defend your home month?
Putting more convicts in Orange suits may curb the violence. Meat is correct: violence is the behavior of the sentient; inanimate objects do not perpetrate violence.
First off Violence is an “behavior” how the hell can an gun have an “behavior” ?
This so called “gun violence” belief lacks any thought comprehension.
When are these people going to be held accountable for threating our civil liberties.
I think this is ironic since it lines up with the Every 2nd Matters movement to open carry on the 2nd of every month. Some of us do it and wear the tshirt 🙂
More ridiculous GARBAGE from the Communist Progressive Liberal DEMONCRATS intent on subverting and abolishing the intent of the 2nd Amendment!
There is NO greater threat to our personal and national security than the Communist Progressive Liberals in the DEMONCRAT PARTY as it exists today!
Let’s not raise money to help stop violence. Not volunteer time working with youth. Not educate our newer generations. Let’s spend money on shirts that say we would rather sit on the sidelines and not get our hands dirty. Our leaders yet again do exactly what they are capable of. Waste time and money. Ought to be taking time educating this society on safe handling and training of firearms. And spending money where it really counts. Going after the source of violence is key. The people in society that cause it. Going after the tools used to commit these acts (same tools that can/are used to prevent and fight said violent) is only allowing it to continue and grow. God made man. Colt made them equal. And our present government is tippng the scales in favor of those who are evil.