RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and city leaders are reminding the community to leave guns at home as summer events get underway.

“I was awakened wanted to be an activist for gun violence, not knowing the war that I was fighting would become my own personal battle,” Laverne McMullen said.

For Laverne McMullen, every day is a battle.

“Kenneth L. Cooper was murdered in Richmond, Virginia. He became a statistic,” McMullen said.

She’s now fighting for her late son, advocating against gun violence alongside city leaders as we kick off gun violence awareness month.

Police Chief Rick Edwards said we continue to see more “expressive gun violence” when people are unable to resolve their disputes and have easy access to firearms.

Edwards said 70 to 80 percent of ou

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