LANSING, MI - On June 7, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking June 7, 2024, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Michigan to raise awareness about gun violence and draw attention to gun safety measures that can keep communities safe.

“Gun violence is a uniquely American problem, and we must take action to keep Michiganders safe as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands in their community,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, we honor those we have lost to gun violence, support survivors, and commit ourselves to taking action to protect public safety and save lives. Last year, I worked with my partners in the Michigan Legislature to sign four commonsense gun violence prevention laws to establish universal background checks, safe storage requirements, extreme risk protection orders, and stronger protections for domestic violence survivors. Let’s keep working together to reduce violence and save lives.”

In January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15. To recognize her birthday in June, people across the United States have annually recognized the first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day by wearing orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence and the loved ones of these victims. By wearing orange on June 7, 2024, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence, honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors, renew our commitment to reduce gun violence.

“So many Michigan families, including my own, have been affected by gun violence. This crisis continues to steal the lives of our children and traumatize communities across our state,” said Kazia Kelly, lead of the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action and gun violence survivor. “During Wear Orange, we get a chance to honor both the victims and survivors of gun violence and pledge to build a safer future so that our children may live in a world where the fear of gun violence is no longer. We are incredibly grateful that Governor Whitmer and the state of Michigan share our commitment to ending gun violence.” 

“Gun violence is preventable,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police.  “We remain dedicated to doing all we can to keep firearms away from those who wish to do harm. No one should live in fear.”

 “By participating in Wear Orange, Michigan honors the lives impacted by gun violence and declares that we will not accept this crisis as our reality,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “Our movement in Michigan and nationwide is proud to work with Governor Whitmer and gun sense lawmakers to keep delivering the effective gun violence solutions our communities deserve.”

“Gun violence perpetrators undermine the safety and security of our communities and jeopardize the lives of law enforcement responding to those incidents,” said Matt Saxton, Executive Director of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. “Holding offenders accountable through the criminal justice system remains crucial so that our communities are protected."

To view the full proclamation, click here.

Governor Whitmer’s Actions on Gun Violence

In April 2023, Governor Whitmer signed commonsense gun violence prevention bills that will establish universal background checks for all firearm purchases and safe storage requirements. In May 2023, Governor Whitmer signed bills establishing extreme risk protection orders in Michigan, ensuring police officers, health care professionals, and family members concerned about someone who may harm themselves or others can seek a court order to temporarily confiscate their firearms.  In November 2023, Governor Whitmer signed bills disallowing convicted domestic abusers from owning firearms.

Governor Whitmer proposed the commonsense gun violence prevention legislation during her 2023 State of the State address and has worked with the Michigan Legislature, community groups, law enforcement, students and parents following the shooting at Michigan State University in February 2023 and the shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021 to get these commonsense measures to reduce gun violence signed into law.

Governor Whitmer’s Investments in Public Safety Investments 

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has worked closely with local leaders, law enforcement officers, and community organizations to ensure people feel safe in their neighborhoods. The governor has signed five balanced, bipartisan budgets, each making record investments to help communities fund local law enforcement departments and hire more first responders. 

Governor Whitmer has invested over $1.5 billion into public safety, with this year’s budget making an additional $73 million investment. In her budget recommendation, Governor Whitmer recommended $5.5 million for community violence intervention services to reduce gun violence and save lives. Additionally, the governor recommended $5 million to establish Training, Recruitment and Retention Grants to support local law enforcement agencies, which will reduce violent crime by helping to ensure cities have the necessary resources to hire and retain police officers.