In acknowledgment of National Gun Violence Awareness Day Friday, Congresswoman Deborah Ross and local law enforcement leaders gathered to discuss ways to combat gun violence in our area.
According to Everytown For Gun Safety, the country’s largest gun violence prevention organization, more than 1,500 people die and about 3,500 are injured each year by guns in North Carolina.
Law enforcement leaders on Friday said many gun violence incidents involve youth, just as NC Governor Roy Cooper echoed earlier this week in a meeting of the Governor’s Crime Commission.
“Perpetrators are getting younger and a lot of times that’s setting up serious injuries and deaths so we’re working hard to work with our youth,” said Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe.
The good news for Raleigh is that Police Chief Estella Patterson reported gun violence incidents are down within the city limits.
“Since 2022, we’ve seen a 22% reduction in firearm violence. Our aggravated assaults that involve firearms are down,” said Patterson.
Chief Patterson said she credits the decrease in gun violence incidents to her staff and those in the community reporting incidents.
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said they’re also seeing a decrease in incidents.
“Reported crime, I would like to say, appears to be down but there are incidents that are going on,” Sheriff Rowe said. “That’s why it’s important for our deputies to get out there and get into the communities so the people will come forth and, as we say, if you see something—say something.”
Many who spoke at the roundtable agree more can be done.
They advocated for safe storage education and more gun violence prevention programs.