Florida Senate - 2014                            (NP)    SR 1418
       
       
        
       By Senator Bullard
       
       
       
       
       
       39-01218-14                                           20141418__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing the month of June 2014 as
    3         “Gun Violence Awareness Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, in 2012, 721 homicides in this state were
    6  committed by use of firearms, representing 71.4 percent of the
    7  total number of homicides committed, and
    8         WHEREAS, in that same year, 13,455 aggravated assaults in
    9  this state were committed by use of firearms, representing 22.8
   10  percent of all aggravated assaults committed, and
   11         WHEREAS, gun violence continues to be a devastating crisis
   12  throughout this state and the nation, with firearm homicide the
   13  leading cause of death nationwide for African Americans between
   14  1 and 44 years of age, and
   15         WHEREAS, minority communities continue to be
   16  disproportionately affected by gun violence, and
   17         WHEREAS, guns are the most common weapons used in acts of
   18  domestic violence against women, and access to firearms
   19  increases the risk of homicide by more than 5 times, and
   20         WHEREAS, it is imperative that public awareness of gun
   21  violence be raised at the local, state, and national levels, and
   22         WHEREAS, increased awareness and coordination among all of
   23  the stakeholders is critical to the prevention of gun violence,
   24  the equal protection of all citizens, and the safety of our
   25  children and youth, and
   26         WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that this
   27  resolution will inspire a necessary discussion in communities
   28  across this state of gun violence and public and private
   29  programs aimed at prevention, intervention, education, and
   30  outreach, NOW, THEREFORE,
   31  
   32  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   33  
   34         That the month of June 2014 is recognized as “Gun Violence
   35  Awareness Month” in Florida.
   36         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
   37  presented to the Governor as a tangible token of the sentiments
   38  expressed in this resolution.