HOWELL – The Howell Township Council has proclaimed June 1 to be Gun Violence Awareness Day to encourage all people to support efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
During a May 15 meeting, Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro read a proclamation which stated in part, “Every day, 96 Americans are killed by gun violence and on average there are nearly 13,000 gun homicides every year and Americans are 25 times more likely to be killed with guns than people in other developed countries …
“Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from dangerous people; and mayors and law enforcement officers know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe …
“We renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our children safe.”
Nicastro complimented Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America, which is a nonpartisan group and grassroots movement that started after students and staff members were shot to death by a gunman at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in 2012.
“I have to tell you, (Moms Demand Action) was a very articulate and well thought out group that is raising awareness on gun violence. It was not that they were anti-Second Amendment or about taking gun rights away. It was really about how they can make a difference because it is a legitimate fear and concern that kids have today going to school,” Nicastro said.
He said those fears and concerns were not part of his school experience 30 years ago.
“We did not go to school thinking someone was going to come and create the havoc that has been created of late with gun violence,” Nicastro said.
He said Moms Demand Action is “very in tune” and understood “it was not just guns,” but mental health issues and social media that also played a role in certain gun related incidents.
Bill Kaminski of Howell, a member of Moms Demand Action, said, “As you may have noticed, you do not need to be a mother to be a member. All adults concerned about senseless gun deaths and injuries are welcome. While Moms Demand Action recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms, our goal is to reduce the (thousands of) deaths every year through sensible legislation, raising awareness and promoting gun safety.”
Kaminski thanked council members for issuing the proclamation and invited “everyone who agrees we can do more to save American lives from gun violence” to wear orange on June 1 to help spread the word and to remember and honor the victims of gun violence.
Moms Demand Action will hold a “Wear Orange” community gathering and rally from 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 2 at Springwood Park in Asbury Park. Residents of all communities are welcome to attend the rally.
“If anything comes out of this, at least we (can) create an environment where our children feel safe. It is a legitimate fear kids have today. We have to have these dialogues with our kids today. They have to feel they are in a safe environment and that they can share their concerns with us,” Nicastro said.
