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National Gun Violence Awareness Day Across The Country

ARKANSAS (KFSM) – On Thursday (June2), several people from all across the natural state are taking a stand on National Gun Violence Awareness Day. To rais...

ARKANSAS (KFSM) - On Thursday (June2), several people from all across the natural state are taking a stand on National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

To raise awareness about the fight to put an end to gun violence, they will be wearing orange to show their support. Hunters wear orange in the woods to protect themselves and others from harm while hunting. The bright color symbolizes the value of human life.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is also recognized to honor the victims that have lost their lives or been affected by gun violence.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day was created in 2013, after teens on the south side of Chicago asked several classmates to honor their  friend who had been murdered, by wearing orange. The simple call to action has grown into a movement across the United States.

Gun owners in Arkansas think that it is good for the community to be aware of this day, but also said this day is not only about the violence that is brought on by guns.

"It's not the gun that really hurts people," said Tackle Box Owner Jerry Knittig. He adds, "It's people and the culture people get in."

"If you have one shooting death in the community is too many," according to Sgt. Daniel Grubbs with the Fort Smith Police Department. "When you have citizens getting together and making a vocal statement to our neighborhoods saying that enough is enough is encouraging to me," said Grubbs.

According to the Fort Smith Police Department, since the beginning of 2016 there have been three deadly shootings and four drive-by shootings.

"Innocent people are being targeted by bad people," said Grubbs.

In Little Rock, three bridges spanning the Arkansas River will turn orange tonight in support of gun violence awareness.

 

 

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