This resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month and June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day to honor victims and promote awareness.
Richard Durbin
Senator
IL
This resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2026 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The bill aims to raise awareness about the impact of gun violence in the United States. It encourages the public to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote community safety discussions.
Congress Proposes June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month to Target Rising Summer Incidents
This resolution aims to officially designate June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the entire month of June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. It isn't just about picking a date on the calendar; the bill lays out a stark statistical case for why this focus is needed, citing that gun violence has claimed more American lives since 1968 than all U.S. wars combined. By centering this awareness in June, the resolution specifically targets the summer months when shooting incidents typically spike, attempting to turn a seasonal trend into a season of community safety and dialogue.
The Data Behind the Designation
The bill provides a deep dive into the numbers that define the current landscape of gun violence in America. It notes that roughly 47,000 people die and 97,000 are injured by firearms annually, including a heavy toll on specific groups like military veterans—88,000 of whom died by gun suicide between 2004 and 2023. For parents and young adults, the figures are particularly hitting: over 4,400 children and teens are killed by guns each year. The resolution uses these data points to move the conversation from abstract policy to the reality of the 15,000 people under age 30 who lose their lives to gun violence annually.
A Call for Orange and Community Action
Beyond the statistics, the resolution asks the public to take visible action by wearing orange on June 5, 2026. This specific color was chosen because it’s what hunters wear to signal they are not targets, serving as a tribute to Hadiya Pendleton—a 15-year-old killed in Chicago in 2013—and all other victims. The bill encourages community leaders and neighbors to use this time to discuss practical ways to make local streets safer. While the resolution itself doesn't mandate new regulations or spending, it seeks to create a unified national period for gun safety education and victim remembrance during the time of year when communities are often most at risk.