Durham vigil one of hundreds across the country to bring attention to gun violence
DURHAM (WTVD) -- A North Carolina group that fights gun violence participated in a nationwide candlelight vigil in memory of all victims of gun violence in the country.
North Carolinians Against Gun Violence held a service Thursday night at Judea Reform Congregation in Durham.
It was one of more than 190 vigils planned Thursday in 36 states. The event marks the second anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut along with more than 60,000 victims of gun violence in the U.S. since then.
On Dec. 14, 2012, Adam Lanza fatally shot his mother and gunned down 20 children and six educators at the school before killing himself.
Close to 30 people formed a circle, lit candles and held a moment of silence at the congregation in Durham. Organizers say many gun-related deaths can be prevented with simple gun safety measures.
"So many of the gun deaths and gun injuries are totally preventable if parents would take responsibility for locking the guns, putting ammunition separate from guns, using gun locks. Just take a few proactive measures to really eliminate accidental shootings," said Chip Carnation, a board member with North Carolinians Against Gun Violence.
He and others at the vigil hope that remembering those lost Thursday night will have an impact on how people act in the future.
