Orange is the new...

During “Gun Violence Awareness Days,” many across the country wear orange to signify the public health crisis associated with gun violence; to commem- orate the many lives lost to gun violence; to show solidarity with families who have lost loved ones to gun violence; and to remind us of the fact that every year, on average, more than 17,000 children and teens are shot.

Unbelievably, gun violence has become the No. 1 cause of death for children in our country. We don’t need to live with gun violence in this country. We can do better for our community and our children by finding sensible solutions, educating our citizens about safe gun storage and working toward ways to reduce the number of gun deaths, including those from suicides and accidental shootings.

There is a role for all of us in protecting our children from gun violence. Let’s tell our leaders that we want them to pass common sense gun safety legislation to make our communities, homes, schools, places of worship, hospitals, movie theaters, concert halls, grocery stores and every other place where our citizens gather, safe from the horrors of gun violence.

Wear Orange to Commemorate Durango Gun Safety Awareness Days from June 3-11.

– Carol Cure, Durango