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Public Urged To Wear Hunter Orange For Gun Violence Awareness Day

Shay Howlin

Hunters often wear orange to stay safe around guns. Now, the public is being encouraged to do the same for Gun Violence Awareness Day this Friday, June 7. 

This weekend, 20 some businesses in Laramie along with the clock tower at the Cheyenne Depot Museum will light up orange in recognition of the event. On Saturday, organizers will give away small gun safes and other gun safety tools at an event at the Veteran Administration hospital grounds in Cheyenne.

Beth Howard, Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense Chapter Leader, said they'll plant trees in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to gun violence.

"We chose the VA, and they agreed to partner with us in hosting this event, because gun suicide in our nation happens in even higher percentage for veterans than it does for average citizens," Howard said.

She encouraged people to come learn about gun safety measures that they can practice in their own homes.

"If they are stored unloaded and the ammunition is stored in a separate place," said Howard, "any extra steps that person has to take in the effort to enact a gun suicide-any extra steps is another chance to make a different choice."

Wyoming has the third highest rate of firearm suicides in the country after Montana and Alaska.

Melodie Edwards is the host and producer of WPM's award-winning podcast The Modern West. Her Ghost Town(ing) series looks at rural despair and resilience through the lens of her hometown of Walden, Colorado. She has been a radio reporter at WPM since 2013, covering topics from wildlife to Native American issues to agriculture.
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