Delaware Goes Orange to End Gun Violence

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Across the country, people are wearing orange as they stand against gun violence, and in Delaware, it was no different.

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer met with people across Lower Delaware Friday as communities came together to discuss how they can put an end to gun violence.

Governor Meyer told us while he was in Seaford,  “What I’m hearing across the state from Claymont down to Fenwick Island in many parts in between like here in Seaford, is that people do not want gun violence in their communities. They’re willing to work with everyone in the community to make sure that we’re investing appropriately…”

Dozens gathered in the rain at the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk – demanding an end to gun violence…

From parents who lost their own children, like Dr. Vicki Gordy Smith who lost her 20-year-old son in a shooting.

She tells us, “I think it’s really important for us to show up and tell our stories because otherwise we become just a number, a part of the statistics. And I think when people hear the real impacts that it makes on real families, then they are more likely to get involved in understanding and trying to reduce gun violence.”

To those who lost family in the line of duty, like Sherrie Walker who lost her grandson earlier this year.

“My grandson was killed with a ghost gun, and those are still legal in Georgia and they’re not here in Delaware. And I think steps like that, as small as they might seem, can have an impact and change, save lives,” says Walker.

They want to bring the number of shooting related deaths down to zero one day and say that starts with teaching kids.

Adrienne Fyock, a local volunteer says, “We talk to our children about so many other things, about drugs and alcohol and driving safely and making smart choices. But we want to make sure that we also empower them to have these important conversations with their friends and their friends parents before they go into these homes…”

Governor Meyer also met with community members in Laurel and Seaford.

He spent time with advocates and local law enforcement, speaking about how gun violence is impacting lower Delaware.
The governor asked the community how the state can step in an help.

Seaford Police Chief Marshall Craft tells us it’s about bringing the community closer together.

“I really think that pushing the community to support the police department and working collaboratively together like we were going to see inside of the room here with all of the different entities inside is extremely important. We have to build relationships and we have to build trust,” says Chief Craft.

The groups the governor met with included Operation West Laurel Nonviolent Seaford, and the Seaford Empowerment Coalition