Burien proclaims June 2025 Gun Violence Awareness Month, schedules gun lock box giveaway

Councilmember Linda Akey read a proclamation at the June 2 meeting noting King County statistics and declaring June 2025 as gun violence awareness month in Burien. The proclamation cited King County prosecuting attorney and regional data on shots‑fired incidents and firearm homicides in 2024 and recognized local groups working on prevention.

Mayor Kevin Schilling invited a representative from the Alliance for Gun Responsibility to accept the proclamation and to speak. Alex Castro, introduced by the mayor as a senior community organizer at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, said the campaign is part of the national Wear Orange movement and urged community solidarity: "We wear orange June this year to honor survivors and build community with those working to end gun violence." Castro described Wear Orange as a commemoration that grew from the 2013 killing of Hadiya Pendleton and said the Alliance is partnering on local outreach.

City staff and the city manager reminded the public that the city is co‑sponsoring a gun‑lock‑box giveaway with the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Progress Pushers, and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. The city manager announced the event date and time: "this Friday, June 6, 4PM to 5:30PM, at Town Square Park," and said the giveaway will distribute free lock boxes to residents who want to secure firearms.

Why this matters: local proclamations and community giveaways are part of outreach and harm‑reduction strategies that aim to prevent unintentional shootings and provide resources to residents. The proclamation recognizes county data and local partners and invites public participation in the June 6 event.

The proclamation was read and presented at the meeting; no formal vote was recorded for the ceremonial proclamation. Residents and partners were invited to attend the June 6 lock‑box distribution at Town Square Park.