Annapolis, MD (June 3, 2021) - Today, County Executive Steuart Pittman proclaimed June 4, 2021 as Gun Violence Safety Awareness Day in Anne Arundel County during a 2-day gun violence awareness seminar hosted by the Anne Arundel County Gun Violence Intervention Team.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis that deeply impacts our communities,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “We need to continue using evidence-based approaches while supporting families and communities in reducing the devastation created by incidents of gun violence.”
To view the proclamation, click here.
In 2019, Maryland had 757 gun deaths at a rate of 33 per 100,000 people, and on average, Anne Arundel County has 40 resident gun deaths and 150 gun-related hospital visits, while suicides account for over half of all firearm fatalities in Anne Arundel County at a rate of 4.9 per 100,000 people, making firearms the leading means of suicide deaths as well as a public health crisis, and
The proclamation recognizes the importance of public health approaches to addressing gun violence. The first part of the seminar series features a keynote by Dr. Georges Benjamin, the Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, focused on the impacts of gun violence within communities. The series features national public health experts, local government and community leaders, and county residents.
The 3-part virtual seminar included Thursday evening sessions on understanding gun violence and turning the curve through community involvement. The event will conclude with an interactive violence intervention workshop from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 4.
To register for the workshop, visit Violence Intervention Workshop. For more information about the Gun Violence Intervention Team, email gun-violence-intervention@aacounty.org or call 410-222-4224.