"We're the only developed country in the world with a gun violence epidemic. The only country," activist Chuck Eddy told a crowd of around 45 people Friday in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza.
They congregated to hear the stories of survivors and those left behind in the wake of gun violence, and continue to shine a light on the problem.
Jamie Palumbo's oldest brother committed suicide with a gun when he was 16, and Palumbo was just 13. He said the lasting impact leaves survivors with a choice.
"There's just a lot of things that are left for the survivors, whether it be family or friends, to pick up those pieces and try to figure out how to live without that person in their life," he said. "So we can either let it completely destroy us or use what's happened to us to try to help others and save others' lives so it doesn't happen to other people."
The crowd heard from several speakers who lost loved ones, along with law enforcement officials and other advocates.
According to Moms Demand Action, the group that organized the Lexington event, Kentucky has the 14th highest rate of gun violence in the country.
NOTE: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or substance abuse, call Kentucky's mental health hotline at 988.