GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Guilford County leaders are taking a stance on gun violence.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Thursday night, declaring gun violence a public health crisis.
Chairman Skip Alston said the resolution is about sending a message that the county is serious about gun violence prevention. It came hours after a Greensboro shooting killed one and injured another.
The county said it averages about 217 gun deaths a year and that weapons arrests are on the rise.
"It's killing our children. It's killing our citizens," Alston said. "It is a deadly force that's out there. It's a public health crisis and it's affecting our emotional health and our lives."
Commissioner Carly Cooke proposed the resolution after seeing a lockdown drill at her son’s school.
“It made me deeply sad that some students were scared, and some were numb to it,” Cooke said. "Sitting in that classroom watching 7 and 8-year-olds practicing for a potential tragedy we hope never comes, I couldn't help reflecting on what my responsibility is to these children and to my community."
The resolution reveals the Commission will prioritize relationships and partnerships with organizations and the community to respond to gun violence. The county administration will update commissioners on progress twice a year.
They said every citizen should know the following numbers:
- 24-Hour Behavioral Health Call Center: 1-800-256-2452
- Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 1-833-600-2054
- Guilford County Mobile Crisis Team: 1-877-626-1772
- Greensboro-Guilford County Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 336-373-1000
- High Point Crimestoppers Tip Line: 336-889-4000
One organization is hoping to put pressure on federal lawmakers too.
Moms Demand Action protested outside Senator Richard Burr's office in Winston-Salem Thursday afternoon.
It's personal for moms like Antonia Imes, who worries about her teenage son.
"It's time to take action," Imes said. "No more sitting around, sweeping this to the side. The death toll is going up, gun violence is getting to be a lot. It's always been a lot but now Winston-Salem's toll is going up."
They came to drop off 9,000 petition signatures in support of gun safety legislation.
"We hear from politicians regularly about thoughts and prayers but thoughts and prayers do not save lives and they do not change laws," Julie Fritz said.
Fritz is a member of Moms Demand Action.
The group was not able to drop off the petition because Burr's office was closed. They said they would return to drop it off during business hours.
Friday starts Wear Orange Weekend, a nationwide effort to raise gun violence awareness.
Winston-Salem group Our Opportunity 2 Love + Heal Coalition will be hosting events Friday. You can find those details here.