Student Pledge Against Gun Violence
National Day of Concern
Student Pledge Against Gun Violence
October 16, 2019
The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence (the "Student Pledge") is a non-political initiative held in conjunction with the National Day of Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. The initiative honors the role that young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. Supported by a unanimous U.S. Senate Resolution and a Presidential Proclamation, the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence began in 1996. It called for the observance of a National Day of Concern as well as national distribution of the Student Pledge. By signing the Student Pledge, our young people make the following three promises:
1. I will never bring a gun to school;
2. I will never use a gun to settle a personal problem or dispute;
3. I will use my influence with my friends to keep them from using guns to settle disputes.
A similar, age-appropriate pledge is available for elementary school students.
Since 1996, more than 10 million students nationwide have signed the Student Pledge.
In addition to having students recite and sign the Student Pledge, our office has also encouraged schools to take the opportunity (through classroom or school-wide activities) to begin and/or continue conversations with young people about gun violence. By giving students the opportunity to sign the Student Pledge in the company of their peers, knowing that other students across Southeast Louisiana are doing the same, we hope to give voice to our young people's concerns about gun violence and the role they can play in stopping violence in their communities.