BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A group of young athletes rallied in Burlington on Thursday to raise awareness about gun violence.
The Vermont Department of Health says each year, about 74 Vermonters die by firearms– most are suicides. And 39 Vermonters on average end up in the emergency room or hospital with firearms-related injuries.
Thursday afternoon, girls basketball players at Hunt Middle School highlighted what they say is a growing concern, expressing their worries about gun violence in their community.
There were 16 gun violence incidents in Burlington in 2023, and 26 in in 2022. Burlington police say over the last five years, gun incidents in the city have risen by 33%.
Students say this is not the kind of environment they want to be in and they feel like they can’t escape it. They hope for change in the future.