California Assembly adopts resolution recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day; members urge further action

The California State Assembly on May 7 adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 191 recognizing June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and urging continued action on gun-violence prevention.

Assemblymember Stephanie, the resolution’s author, told colleagues the day honors Hadiya Pendleton and called on the Legislature to press nine priority bills from the Legislators Gun Violence Prevention Working Group. "This violence is not inevitable. We know that it's preventable," she said, and asked members for an "I vote" on ACR 191.

Several members rose to support the resolution, tying it to local tragedies and prevention efforts. Assemblymember Gibson thanked advocates including Moms Demand Action and Everytown, and noted a related measure, AB 1943 (Safe Storage Notification). Assemblymember Wilson recounted a Fairfield graduation shooting that left four people shot, including one death, and called orange "the color of hope." Assemblymember Bonta listed recent homicides in Oakland, cited local violence-prevention programs and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and referenced a National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform estimate that a single fatal shooting can cost taxpayers more than $3,000,000.

Dr. Lashay Sharp Collins delivered emotional testimony about personal and community loss, repeatedly urging action and telling members, "No more." Several members described childhood or family experiences with gun violence, including Assemblymember Soria, who said his brother was shot three times and survived.

After debate, the author requested the first role for coauthors be opened. The clerk opened the roll; the clerk later reported 55 coauthors were added. The Assembly took a voice vote; the presiding officer announced, "The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted."

The resolution is symbolic (a concurrent resolution recognizing a day) and does not itself create new law. Sponsors and supporters framed it as a marker to sustain public attention and to mobilize legislative work on storage, enforcement and prevention measures. Members urged follow-up steps to move specific bills to the governor's desk.

Next steps noted on the floor: the Assembly will continue work on the listed priority bills; no formal vote totals were recorded for final passage (adoption occurred by voice vote). The author and supporters welcomed survivors and advocates from groups including Everytown for Gun Safety and Students Demand Action to the gallery.