June 3. Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed June 3 as Gun Violence Awareness Day in North Carolina to raise awareness and remember the lives of those lost to gun violence.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day, also known as #WearOrange Day, is also being recognized on June 3, 2022.

Gov. Cooper at March 11 press conference

“It’s past time for common sense reforms that must take place at the congressional and legislative levels—stronger background checks, red flag laws, banning assault weapons and community violence interventions so that we can prevent these horrific events,” Cooper said.

—The Executive Mansion will be lit orange today through Sunday.

North Carolina has the 17th highest rate of gun deaths in the nation with an average of more than 1,300 gun deaths each year, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office.