ASSEMBLY HOMELAND SECURITY AND STATE PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 33

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 12, 2021

      The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Joint Resolution No. 33.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Joint Resolution No. 33 designates June 2 of every year as “Gun Violence Awareness Day” in New Jersey to honor and remember all victims of, and others affected by, firearm violence.  The resolution also requires the Governor to issue a proclamation calling on public officials and citizens of New Jersey to observe June 2 of every year as “Gun Violence Awareness Day.”

      The national “Gun Violence Awareness Day” campaign was established by the friends of Hadiya Pendleton to commemorate her life.  Tragically, Hadiya, at the age of 15, was shot and killed in Chicago just one week after performing at former President Barack Obama’s second inaugural parade. On June 2, 2013, Chicago teens first marched to raise awareness about firearm violence and honor the lives cut short every day because of firearm related violence.

      Communities nationwide annually recognize “Gun Violence Awareness Day” to promote greater awareness about firearm violence and firearm safety, to concentrate heightened attention on firearm violence during the summer months, when this violence typically increases, and to bring citizens and community leaders together to discuss ways to make our communities safer.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, this bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments are technical in nature to update certain firearm statistics.  These amendments make Assembly Joint Resolution No. 33 identical to Senate Joint Resolution No. 41.