WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 45,000 Americans are killed in acts of gun violence and tens of thousands more are victims of non-fatal shootings. By early February, more Americans are killed with guns than our contemporary nation-states per calendar year; and
WHEREAS, A gun violence survivor is anyone who has personally experienced gun violence - whether you have witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had a loved one wounded or killed; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, Philadelphia had one of its deadliest years of gun violence, seeing 516 homicides. In Pennsylvania, 1,628 people die by guns on average per year. Each death has a ripple effect, impacting entire families and communities; and
WHEREAS, Forms of gun violence can include, but are not limited to: gun suicides, gun homicides, domestic violence involving a gun, shootings by law enforcement, and unintentional shootings; and
WHEREAS, The impact of gun violence is seen disproportionately across communities of color. Black men make up 52% of all gun homicide victims in the US, despite comprising less than 6% of the population. Nationwide, 68 percent of Black and Latino Americans or someone they care for has experienced gun violence in their lifetime, demonstrating the impact and devastation gun violence has in communities across America; and
WHEREAS, Although the City of Philadelphia is pre-empted by state law from most types of firearm regulation, the City has taken bold action over the last few years to address the gun violence crisis, allocating tens of millions of dollars in new funds for gun violence prevention, enacting a landmark ghost guns regulation, and establishing the Office of the Victim Advocate; and
WHEREAS, By observing National Gun Violence Survivors Week, communities across America will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives stolen or irreversibly damaged by gun violence; and
WHEREAS, We renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep Philadelphia safe; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby
recognizes February 1-7, 2023, as National Gun Violence Survivor Week, in honor of survivors of gun violence and the lifelong burdens they carry.
End