Across the country this weekend, activist organizations like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety are urging citizens to do their part to end gun violence. It's part of a “Wear Orange” campaign, and Winston-Salem is taking part.
Mayor Allen Joines is declaring June 1st Gun Violence Awareness Day. There will be events in the city to raise awareness and honor victims.
WFDD's Eddie Garcia spoke with Mayor Joines about what role the city can play in the discussion.
Interview Highlights
On why Joines is making the declaration:
I think if you look around the country - and even here in our own area - we're seeing increased levels of violence from school shootings to homicides. So I felt like it was important for me to join with many local citizens and volunteers who are trying to bring awareness to this whole national issue.
On what changes to gun laws Joines would like to see:
Well, I think obviously some reasonable level of gun regulation, particularly the prohibition against AR-15s and quote 'assault rifles' with the large capacity magazines. You know, I'm an outdoorsman myself, but there's no need for an assault rifle in sports shooting and hunting and things of that nature. So I think getting control of that piece would be a good first step.
On what's being done about Winston-Salem's rising homicide rate:
Unfortunately, homicide rates are dynamic; they're up one year and down the next year. And there's so much of it that can't be prevented. One of the big things we're doing is that we have a strong gang prevention program here trying to keep young people out of gangs. And I think just involving the community, as you will hear from our police leaders saying that we can't do it by ourselves. We have to have a strong neighborhood watch program. We've got to have citizens to cooperate with the police to help solve some of these homicides as well.