City Declares Feb. 1-7 National Gun Violence Survivor Week in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs will joining other cities across the United States in declaring the first week of February as National Gun Violence Survivor Week, Mayor Ron Kim announced Feb. 1.

“By early February, more people are killed with guns in the United States than are killed with guns in any other high-income country in an entire year,” the mayor said in a statement, explaining the significance of the chosen date. 

The majority of American adults, or someone they care for, will experience gun violence in their lifetime. This includes gun suicides, gun homicides, domestic violence situations involving guns, shootings by law enforcement, and unintentional shootings, according to a release from the city. 

Harvard Medical School researchers reported that gun violence cost Americans about $557 billion annually. National Gun Violence Survivor Week is an initiative of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

“It’s imperative we continue pursuing all avenues available to us to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others,” Kim said.