In the wake of the Uvalde mass shooting, advocates condemned congressional inaction and demanded that Washington continue leading the way

SEATTLE, WA – Every day, an average of 124 people are killed by guns in the United States. There have been at least 20 mass shootings since 19 children and two teachers were murdered at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX on May 24, 2022. Today, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility held a press conference to honor victims and survivors of gun violence and to condemn federal inaction. 

The following community leaders and advocates called for comprehensive action at the federal level to address the crisis and vowed that Washington will continue acting to prevent gun violence. The speaking program can be viewed here. 

• Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility 
• Attorney General Bob Ferguson
• Marina Gabrielle Blatt, University of Washington Student
• Miguel Maestas, Housing and Economic Director at El Centro de la Raza 
• Lynniah Grayson, Founder and Executive Director of RISE
• Chelsey (CS) Wright, Community Advocate
• Margy Heldring, Founder and Co-Chair of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence

“National Gun Violence Awareness Day is a time to draw attention to the gun violence epidemic, a public health crisis that has been enabled by the federal elected leaders who have refused to stand up to the gun lobby to do even the bare minimum to prevent us from being gunned down at school or church or the hospital or grocery store,” said Renée Hopkins, Alliance for Gun Responsibility CEO. “The progress we have made in Washington proves that inaction from our federal officials is a choice. It is a choice that is costing American lives every single day. Those who refuse to pass commonsense gun laws are responsible for the daily carnage in our country. Until they find the courage to act, Washington will keep leading the way.”  

National Gun Violence Awareness Day marks the first day of Wear Orange weekend, a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the gun violence epidemic and showing solidarity with victims and survivors. This year, several Seattle landmarks, including Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, will light up orange throughout the weekend. Gun responsibility supporters will also participate in a variety of actions to raise awareness about the urgency of gun violence prevention. Learn more about Wear Orange here and see a list of upcoming gun safety events here.

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