At the national level, June is already recognized as gun violence awareness month, but after a declaration from the St. Louis County board of commissioners, the county will recognize it too.

LaVenda Vann, an outspoken gun violence awareness advocate and leader in the community, spoke in front of the board, sharing her story. Miss Vann lost four family members to gun violence and uses her voice to bring more attention to the need for change.

“The model is one less murder, one less suicide, one less accident, one less victim. No more. We don’t want that. We don’t need that. And so, I just want people to be safe with guns. Lock up your guns. Get safety locks. Put them in a safe, you know. If you find out that your loved one is struggling, address the issue. Make sure because you don’t know if it’s mental you don’t know if it’s PTSD, you don’t know. But every day we lose a life in an instant. And it’s been in our schools, it’s been in the churches, it’s been in block parties, neighborhoods, and it’s just senseless,” said Miss Vann

She appreciates the county taking her side, as well as the side of everyone else that’s been impacted by gun violence but says this is only the start.

“If we just start somewhere, if it’s in your neighborhood, or in your county. June is national gun violence awareness month, but we need it to be every day, not just in the month of June,” said Miss Vann.

Gun violence activism is often conflated with an idea that people shouldn’t have guns, but Miss Vann asserts that isn’t the case.

“I’m not trying to stop people from carrying a gun. That’s not what this is about. It’s about gun safety and saving a life,” said Miss Vann.

On Tuesday, June 3, Enger Tower and the City of Hibbing sign will be lit orange, the color that represents gun violence awareness.

On June 14, a Stop Gun Violence event will be held at Central Hillside Community Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food, entertainment, guest speakers, and free gun locks.