Essex County proclaims Gun Violence Awareness Day; Moms Demand Action urges safe-storage efforts
May 15, 2024 | Essex County, New Jersey
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The Essex County Board of County Commissioners voted to designate the first Friday in June as Gun Violence Awareness Day, a proclamation introduced by Commissioner Bridal Gill that the board agreed to adopt by acclamation.
At the meeting Commissioner Gill framed the declaration as a public-health measure and reviewed county gun-safety steps including an anti-gun-violence task force and a 2015 vendor ordinance requiring firearms sellers to demonstrate responsible practices. He invited local volunteers from Moms Demand Action to the podium.
Andrea Podgarski, co‑local group lead for Essex County Moms Demand Action, thanked the board and urged continued measures to reduce gun deaths. “Guns are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for our children,” she said, and she highlighted 2023 data showing hundreds of unintentional shootings by children and a rising youth suicide rate. Podgarski advocated secure firearm storage policies and continued community education to reduce both unintentional shootings and suicide.
County officials acknowledged the group’s advocacy and asked staff and partners to join a photo and presentation following the meeting. The board approved the measure on a voice vote and scheduled the proclamation to be read into the record at a later time.
The resolution is intended to elevate county outreach and encourage residents to wear orange in tribute to victims on the designated day.
The board also took up several other proclamations and ceremonial resolutions during the meeting.
At the meeting Commissioner Gill framed the declaration as a public-health measure and reviewed county gun-safety steps including an anti-gun-violence task force and a 2015 vendor ordinance requiring firearms sellers to demonstrate responsible practices. He invited local volunteers from Moms Demand Action to the podium.
Andrea Podgarski, co‑local group lead for Essex County Moms Demand Action, thanked the board and urged continued measures to reduce gun deaths. “Guns are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for our children,” she said, and she highlighted 2023 data showing hundreds of unintentional shootings by children and a rising youth suicide rate. Podgarski advocated secure firearm storage policies and continued community education to reduce both unintentional shootings and suicide.
County officials acknowledged the group’s advocacy and asked staff and partners to join a photo and presentation following the meeting. The board approved the measure on a voice vote and scheduled the proclamation to be read into the record at a later time.
The resolution is intended to elevate county outreach and encourage residents to wear orange in tribute to victims on the designated day.
The board also took up several other proclamations and ceremonial resolutions during the meeting.
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