Georgia is a preemption state. Local governments can't enact their own gun control laws. That authority rests with the state. The one exception is on discharging a firearm within the city limits, which is one of those that I can understand.

The city of Albany, Georgia has enacted that law. They did it ages ago. I recall hearing about it in my childhood, as Albany is my hometown. I still live here, actually.

Which is why this story kind of bugs me.

It seems that a nonprofit group that claims to be non-partisan is pushing city leaders to embrace gun control messaging..

Sherrell Byrd, co-founder and executive director of SOWEGA Rising, not only encouraged the county to be painted in orange but also called county leaders to create a gun violence task force.

“I actually just recently heard a startling statistic here in our county where 64% of the gun violence that happens in Dougherty County happens amongst our youth,” she said. “If that doesn’t grip you in some way and want to move you towards action I don’t know what will.”

Byrd is hoping the task force can be launched as soon as possible after she presents her research to county leaders. For now, she’s hoping honoring those lost to gun violence will help spread awareness about the issue.

On June 7, Byrd encourages the city of Albany to wear orange in honor of the national observance. The color orange was chosen to honor Hidiya Pendelton, a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed in Chicago a week after she sang at President Barack Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade.

Here's the thing, though. The wearing of orange during this time isn't apolitical. It's a very political message, one that is pushed by gun control groups throughout the nation. Look on an anti-gunner's X profile and there will probably be an orange square there. That's because this observance isn't about ending violence, but ending gun rights in this country.

This particular story starts with the shooting of a young boy named Nigel Brown. He was shot and killed in a drive-by not more than a couple of miles from where I sit while writing this. I remember the shooting well.

I also remember that these were criminals. They couldn't lawfully own guns.

Byrd also notes that most of these shooters are termed as "youth." That suggests that they aren't legally allowed to buy firearms--handguns, at least, but depending on their age, they may be too young to buy anything. Yet handguns are common among these "youths."

So it's pretty clear that the issue isn't gun control.

Of course, maybe this is about awareness or something? Frankly, having been born and raised in this town, it seems unlikely that anyone would figure we need to raise awareness about violence in this city. The one-time murder capital (per capita) of the United States is well aware that violent crimes, particularly homicides, are a thing, so I'm doubtful.

No, this is a political statement, and what she's wanting is for the city of Albany to fully and formally embrace the anti-gun narrative.

As a lifelong Albanian, I have a problem with that.