On Friday, June 6, the community is invited to join Orange County staff and partners in wearing orange, for the 11th National Gun Violence Awareness Day, followed by Wear Orange Weekend, June 7-8, 2025. Wear Orange is a campaign to demand a future free from gun violence.

The Orange County campaign is led by the Orange Firearm Safety Team, which is a coalition of local law enforcement, public health, social services and juvenile justice agencies, faith communities, veteran’s services, domestic and intimate partner violence services and other non-profits from Orange County. This year the focus is on sharing the many steps we can all take to protect our families and communities from gun violence.

An estimated 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a gun belonging to a family member. Nearly a third of North Carolina middle and high school students reported it would take them less than an hour to access and fire a loaded gun without a parent or other adult's permission.

"Gun shot wounds are among the most common cause of injuries seen at the UNC Trauma Center," said Anna Stormzand, Injury Prevention Coordinator for the UNC Health Trauma Program. “We know that safe storage of firearms prevents not only accidental discharge, but other types of gun violence such as suicide. Wear Orange is a chance to honor the survivors and victims of gun violence as well as to take immediate steps to prevent gun violence by focusing on gun safety education and resources.”

Education is Key to Preventing Gun Violence

Safe storage of firearms is one of the best ways to protect your loved ones from hurting themselves or others. The Orange Firearm Safety Team has compiled educational materials in English and Spanish at https://www.orangecountync.gov/3633/Prevention-Resources

Follow these tips from the Orange Firearm Safety Team:

• If you own a firearm, keep it uploaded, locked,and separated from the ammunition. 
• You can balance safety with protection: There are many storage options available for purchase that allow firearms to be safely secured from an unauthorized user while also allowing for quick access if needed. These include gun safes and lock boxes that have key codes and/or biometric identification. 
• There are 17 locations in Orange and Chatham counties where you can pick up a free cable gun lock. Locations: https://tarheeltrauma.org/gunsafety/.
• Before your children visit a friend or family members home, be sure to ask, “Do you have any firearms in your home?” If there are, ask how that family safely stores their firearm.

If you or a loved one needs someone to talk with, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through text, call or chat  https://988lifeline.org/

Want to become involved? The Orange Firearm Safety Team meets each second Thursday of the month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. with the option to join in-person or through Zoom. Please contact AnnaStormzand  at anna.stormzand@unchealth.unc.edu for further information.

Important Links

• Bilingual educational materials about gun safety: https://www.orangecountync.gov/3633/Prevention-Resources
• 17 locations you can get a free cable gun lock: https://tarheeltrauma.org/gunsafety/
• NC SAFE (Secure all Firearms Effectively), a statewide Department of Public Safety campaign: https://www.ncsafe.org/
• Be SMART for Kids, a national organization focused on childhood safety, for additional resources: https://besmartforkids.org/
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org

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For Media Inquiries:
Kristin Prelipp, Asst. Community Relations Director
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov
(office) 919.245.2322