NBC 17 in Raleigh, NC reports: The tragedy in Tucson one year ago, shocked people throughout the country and still impacts us to this day.
Case in point: people are gathering in Raleigh to remember those who’ve been hurt and lost to gun violence.

They’ve brought their cause to Community United Church of Christ.

It’s part of the “Too Many Victims National Candlelight Vigil,” to remember those impacted by gun violence.

So we decided to check the facts and found some startling numbers.

In 2011, there were 13 domestic violence deaths from guns, just in Wake, Durham and Cumberland Counties.

In 2010, the latest year for which numbers are available, 293 people died from firearms in our state.

That’s according to the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Looking at the broader picture across the country: 31,000 Americans lose their lives in shootings each year. The average is 86 a day.

The group, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, wants to work to prevent more of the same, through more effective policies and laws.

The members support ideas like rehabilitating young and dangerous offenders, keeping guns away from abusive spouses, and throwing gun wielding criminals in jail. We will bring you updates on the vigil here on NBC17.com.

WABC-TV in New York reports: Demonstrators (including Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy) took part in the “Too Many Victims” march and rally Sunday in Harlem. It coincides with national events marking the anniversary of the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., that killed six and injured 12, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Marchers publicized the number of residents killed by guns over the past year in New York City and held a candle light vigil. The march and rally was hosted by the National Action Network and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. The march began at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building on 125th Street and continued to the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture on Malcolm X Boulevard.

On Facebook, Toni Wellen shares this post: “The Coalition Against Gun Violence hosted a vigil in Santa Barbara today in memory of the victims of the Tucson, AZ massacre one year ago on January 8, 2011. Victims from four other mass shootings in California were memorialized, including… the Goleta Post Office tragedy in 2006 in which 6 people were shot and killed. Today’s vigil was attended by 75 people. Elected officials who attended spoke …thoughtfully and meaningfully, including Congresswoman Lois Capps, a representative from the office of State Assemblymember Das Williams, Santa Barbara County Supervisors Salud Carbajal and Janet Wolf, Santa Barbara City Mayor Helene Schneider and Goleta City Mayor Ed Easton. The Coalition Against Gun Violence was presented with a Resolution Day of Remembrance from the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors, a Proclamation Memorial Day of Remembrance from the City of Santa Barbara and the City of Goldeta. The vigil included “The Bell Ceremony” where individual audience members honored loved ones lost to gun violence. The ceremony concluded with members of the Threshold Choir and the Unitarian Women’s Choir singing songs of peace. Thank you to everyone who participated and attended.”

On Facebook, this photo was shared by Connecticut Against Gun Violence Board Member Carolyn Vermont. She is pictured alongside CT. State Rep. Andres Ayala, Jr. following today’s Too Many Victims Vigil in Stamford. Thanks to all who participated in this historic event.

The mother of gun violence victim Rolanda Lakesia Marshall talks to Austin Talks reporter Alice Norris about why she attended the Too Many Victims Candlelight Vigil in Austin, TX. Rolanda, who was killed 18 years ago, would have celebrated her 33rd birthday today. [Read more...]

Jill Saxby comforts speaker Judi Richardson during the Too Many Victims Candlelight Vigil in Portland, Maine this afternoon. The event, held at the front steps of Portland City Hall, was sponsored by Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence. [Read more...]

From Twitter, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) writes: “Saddened but inspired by victims of gun violence at Harlem vigil organizes by New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, the National Action Network and the Brady Campaign. On this Tucson shooting anniversary, time to remember but also act. Support HR 308. Please also support Gun Checks Save Lives.“

One of the U.S. Senate’s most dedicated advocates for gun violence prevention, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the shooting at a constituent event in Tucson, Arizona, where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others were shot, including six fatally:

“One year ago, gun violence struck a blow to yet another American institution – the time-honored tradition of an elected official meeting her constituents. Congresswoman Giffords hoped to bring people together. Instead, a deranged gunman tore lives apart. We are inspired by Congresswoman Giffords, who defied the odds and survived last year’s brutal attack on her life. On this solemn day, we vow to defy the odds and make our country safer from the scourge of gun violence.”

On Facebook, Leslie Manning, Coordinator for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, posts: “In a chill wind, clergy, elected officials and citizen activists gathered in Augusta, ME to honor, to remember and to resolve to move forward. Speakers included Augusta Mayor William Stokes, former Lewiston Mayor and U.S. District Marshal Larry Gilbert and state Rep. Anna Blodgett (D. AUGUSTA). A single candle was lit by Maine Council of Churches President Leslie Manning and representatives from… the Winthrop Area Ministerial Association. Members of the Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker and UCC churches and Meetings in the area were present. After sharing stories of recent gun related tragedies in Maine since January 8, 2012 and honoring all victims of gun violence, the group shared strategies about how to move forward and implement universal background checks for all gun sales, effective traces of weapons used in crimes and limiting gun trafficking through the internet and by private sales from such publications as Augusta-based “Uncle Henry’s”. After a moment of silence, the group closed with a reading of the lyrics to the song “Imagine” by gun violence victim John Lennon.”

On Facebook, Carolyn Vermont and Mary Pellicci Hamilton both write: “I will light a candle today in Stamford, CT.

The World Choir Games Gold Medal-winning Voices of Unity Youth Choir, which earned gold during the 2010 world choir olympics in China last year, will commemorate gun violence victims during a special concert this evening in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Joan A. Peterson posts on Facebook: “I lit a candle this morning at both of my church services and had a Mission Moment as a way to talk about our vigil this afternoon. My church’s Peace and Justice Committee ( Peace UCC) in Duluth is co-sponsoring our event.”

Northland’s NewsCenter interviews gun violence prevention advocate Joan Peterson and previews today’s Too Many Victims Candlelight Vigil in Duluth, MN.

“Too Many Victims of Gun Violence are Women”
By Heidi Yewman for Ms. Magazine
Lonnie Feather was sitting on the couch when her boyfriend walked in, covered her face with a pillow and shot her four times. Two bullets grazed her skull, one went into her neck and one hit her cheek. For the next four hours, Lonnie played dead on the couch hoping not to bleed to death. When her boyfriend—busy making a shopping list of items needed to dispose of her body: duct tape, plastic bags, etc—left to answer the door, Lonnie quickly dialed 911. (Read More at Ms. Magazine)