Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Gun Violence Awareness Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1574

BY: M. of A. Rules (Chandler-Waterman)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        June 2026, as Gun Violence Awareness  Month  in  the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative  Body  to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Gun Violence
Awareness  Month  in  the  State  of  New  York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Month; and

  WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease  Control,  there  were
approximately  48,000  people killed by firearms in the United States in
2022; more than half of these gun-related deaths were suicides, and more
than four of every ten of these deaths were homicides; and

  WHEREAS, According  to  Gun  Violence  Archive  (GVA),  a  nonprofit
organization that tracks media and law enforcement reports of shootings,
at  least 16,725 people in the United States were killed by guns in 2024
in willful, malicious, or accidental occurances, not including suicides;
and

  WHEREAS, Firearms  are  the  leading  cause  of  death  of  American
children   and  teenagers;  Everytown  for  Gun  Safety  reported  3,865
gun-related deaths of individuals between the ages of 1 and  19  in  the
United States in 2024; and

  WHEREAS,  The  New  York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
reports that in 2024, of the 80,399 violent crimes committed in New York
State, 9,790 involved a firearm; and

  WHEREAS,  Gun  violence  continues  to  be  a   devastating   crisis
throughout the state with an increase of shootings and murders typically
occurring in the summer months; and

  WHEREAS, The damage caused by gun violence is not limited by gender,
race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity; and

  WHEREAS,  The effects of gun violence extend far beyond those struck
by a bullet; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness  of
this  serious  issue  including prevention, intervention, education, and
outreach; and

  WHEREAS, Increased awareness and coordination among all stakeholders
is critical to the prevention of gun violence, the equal  protection  of
our  citizens,  and  to  ensure  the  safety of our precious youth; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Gun Violence
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.