Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed June 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Month in Thurston County.
In doing so, board members encouraged residents to securely store their firearms to prevent unauthorized access and reduce injuries. The board issued the proclamation at a meeting on June 9.
According to firearm data from Thurston County, about 45% of gun owners reported storing their firearms securely from 2013 to 2022.
Between 2019 and 2024, there were 718 stolen firearm incidents in Thurston County. In a 2025 Healthy Young Survey, 34% of Thurston County eighth graders believe it would be easy to acquire a handgun, which is higher than the state of Washington value of 29%.
Furthermore, between 2021 and 2025, three quarters of the 4,830 firearm deaths were suicides, state firearm data showed. Between 2020 to 2022, approximately one-third of emergency department visits and hospitalizations were due to firearm injuries suffered by people ages 0-24 years old.
In Thurston County, there’s a group called Thurston Gun Sense, which distributes free gun locks, lock boxes and brochures with information on gun safety issues. Thurston Gun Sense holds tabling events at community gatherings like Olympia Arts Walk, Capital Lakefair, Lacey In Tune, Oregon Trail Days in Tenino and Rainier Bluegrass Festival.
“We have probably given away close to 100 percent of the gun locks that we received,” said Thurston Gun Sense volunteer Judy McGinty. “We also just learned that we’re getting 200 lock boxes. People see that we have those (boxes) and they can’t believe that we’re giving them away for free.”
Thurston Gun Sense partners with other organizations that have a similar mission. Some of the organizations provide funds to Thurston Gun Sense to help with purchasing gun locks.
McGinty is also a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a national gun violence prevention group with chapters in every state in the country.
Earlier this year, McGinty and other volunteers across Washington advocated with state legislators to support responsible gun laws. In March, Governor Ferguson signed House Bill 2320 into law, which helped strengthen regulations surrounding firearms manufacturing.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
JW
Ah, yes, "gun violence", the loaded term we can use to cast blame anywhere but the place it belongs: soft on crime democrat policies and their stooge judges that continually give those committing crimes, especially crimes with firearms no less, slaps on the wrist and release back into the communities to cause harm. "Gun violence" initiatives are theater--if they actually cared then the focus would be on the human criminals committing the gun violence.
Tuesday, June 16 Report this
ViaLocal
I'm sure Trump will get on this issue for all other Americans right after that ballroom gets built!
Tuesday, June 16 Report this
BillIAm
"Gun Violence"
When that phrase is used, it appears to state other violence is less problematic.
Tuesday, June 16 Report this
GeorgeBurazer
Thanks to JOLT News and Reporter Keyan for covering the county Board of Health's proclamation marking June as
Gun Violence Prevention Month. This address of a public health crisis should be taken seriously. Since 2020, gun -
related deaths have become the #1 killer of children and teens overtaking car crashes. The facts are stark and tragic, but there are solutions.
Responsible gun owners have told me that gun safety means secure storage via a gun lock or a lock box. This one simple act may prevent accidental deaths and suicides. Plus, these items are distributed free by local law enforcement. I am a Lacey resident and have contacted the city's police department. They have them
readily available and at no charge.
Also, now that school is out and our youth have more opportunities to visit the homes of friends and relatives, it is important that their parents or caregivers ask this question: "Is there an unlocked gun in your home?"
It could save a life.
George Burazer
Wednesday, June 17 Report this
Wesley
Neat. Repeal all gun control. Americans no longer can stomach the violations of their fundamental human right of armed self defense with the gun of their sole choosing.
Thursday, June 18 Report this