Commissioner Nikki Fried, Everytown for Gun Safety to Light Tallahassee Buildings Orange for Gun Violence Awareness

Tallahassee, Fla. — Everytown for Gun Safety, America’s largest gun violence prevention organization, and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried are coming together to light key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) buildings orange on June 4 for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, as well as June 5-6 for Wear Orange Weekend in support of gun violence awareness. The department will illuminate the historic Mayo Building located across from the Florida Capitol, as well as the department’s Tallahassee Regional Licensing Office in which concealed weapons permit applications are processed.

Background: FDACS buildings in Florida’s Capital City will be illuminated orange for three days to recognize lives lost and the need for common-sense action to prevent gun violence. Fried previously requested in 2019 and 2021 that the Capitol be lit orange to remember the 17 students and staff lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attack in 2018, and distributed orange ribbons from her Capitol office in 2020. She also marked this year’s Gun Violence Awareness Day in a social media video with parent and activist Fred Guttenberg. America’s gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than other high-income countries, and Florida is said to have had “some of the weakest gun laws in the nation.”

Proclamation: Fried proclaimed Friday, June 4 as Gun Violence Awareness Day in the State of Florida in a proclamation on behalf of the Florida Cabinet, which may be viewed here on social media or downloaded here.

“With so many lives lost to gun violence in the Sunshine State and around the nation, it’s important to send a message: we remain determined to see common-sense gun violence prevention reforms enacted to protect our communities,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “As the lives of children, parents, friends, loved ones, and fellow Floridians have been cut short by firearms, we will stand strong to demand change that honors their memory. I’m proud to work with Everytown for Gun Safety to mark this occasion, which I hope will lead to reflection, persistence, and long-overdue action on gun violence.”

“Gun violence has devastated far too many families here in Florida,” said Jenna Preble, a volunteer leader with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network. “This weekend, thousands of Floridians will Wear Orange because we know that gun violence is a preventable crisis, and we all must do our part to help end this terrifying epidemic.”

###