2026 Gun Violence Awareness Month
Gun Violence Awareness Month: Honoring Lives, Advancing CVI Programming
Each June, Gun Violence Awareness Month brings communities together across the country to remember those whose lives have been cut short and to recommit to preventing future harm. At ALSO, we stand with partners, survivors, and advocates in raising awareness about the impact of gun violence while promoting strategies that address both immediate safety and the root causes of violence in our communities.
A powerful symbol of this movement is the color orange. Orange represents hope, resilience, and a shared commitment to ending gun violence. National Gun Violence Awareness Day—the first Friday in June—kicks off “Wear Orange Weekend,” a time to honor victims and survivors and to urge meaningful action.
Gun Violence Awareness Month focuses on practical, prevention-oriented steps. These include encouraging safe storage practices such as using gun locks and storing firearms unloaded; promoting community violence intervention (CVI) programs that address conflict and trauma before they escalate; and advocating for policy changes like stronger background checks and restrictions on certain types of firearms. Together, these strategies recognize that prevention requires both individual responsibility and systemic solutions.
ALSO joins our partners in advancing comprehensive approaches that address intersecting forms of violence. Gun violence does not occur in isolation—it is often connected to community disinvestment, interpersonal violence, and structural inequities. By supporting community-based interventions, survivor-centered services, and collaborative policy advocacy, we work to create safer environments where individuals and families can thrive.
Throughout June, we encourage everyone to wear orange, share messages of awareness on social media, support local violence prevention organizations, and engage in constructive conversations about safety and prevention. Small actions, taken collectively, can help build momentum toward lasting change.
