Dane County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Gun Violence Prevention Efforts

June 26, 2025
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Dane County Board of Supervisors passed 2025 RES-045, formally recognizing and supporting local efforts to prevent gun violence in Dane County. The resolution was adopted in conjunction with National Gun Violence Awareness Month, which raises public awareness about the urgent need to prevent gun violence and address its lasting impacts in communities across the country.

“We on the County Board are committed to confronting this public health crisis,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles. “Last March we called on the Legislature to enable us to do just that. Passing the ‘Safer Summer’ bill package would be a significant step in the right direction.”

Gun violence is recognized as a public health crisis by Public Health Madison & Dane County, which leads local efforts to reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries through data analysis, violence prevention programming, and community partnerships.

“In Wisconsin, an average of 69 children and teens die by guns every year, 33% through suicide; and 38 Dane County residents lose their lives to firearms each year—with 80% to suicide,” said Supervisor Rick Rose (Dist. 16). “I am so grateful for Students Demand Action, a youth-led movement who are at the forefront of gun violence prevention advocacy, and I join them in asking for an Extreme Risk Protection Order process, expanding background checks, and strengthening our gun laws to prevent further tragedies.”

The board also welcomed Stella Osiedacz, a volunteer with the Wisconsin Students Demand Action chapter, to speak in support of the resolution. “Gun violence prevention work is hard. Many of us come to this advocacy after traumatic loss in our communities. Many times we go to speak with the same lawmakers over and over who continue to do nothing even though a majority of their constituents are asking for change,” said Osiedacz. “This resolution is a reminder to all of us to keep going and keep showing up. Thank you, Dane County Board Members for recognizing our efforts, your support is going to make a difference.”

In addition to recognizing the leadership of Students Demand Action, the resolution also highlights the work of organizations such as Moms Demand Action and Focused Interruption, which strengthen community-driven approaches to advancing safety, resilience, and healing.

The resolution affirms the Dane County Board’s commitment to partnering with Public Health Madison & Dane County and other local organizations to expand gun violence prevention, education, intervention, and support services across the county.

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About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Made up of 37 supervisors elected from districts in the county, the mission of the Dane County Board of Supervisors is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the County Board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.