United States Attorney Davis Announces Student Pledge Against Gun Violence

Jackson, Miss – U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis announced today that members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and their law enforcement partners met with students at Whitten Preparatory Middle School as part of his office’s first annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.

Today, middle school students took a voluntary pledge, administered by Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green, promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes.

The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national initiative that honors the role that young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. Held in conjunction with the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence, the initiative provides a means for teachers and community leaders to speak to young people about gun violence. Over 10 million students nationwide have taken the pledge since its inception in 1996.

"Our office is pleased to take part in this important national initiative aimed at starting conversations among students, teachers and parents about the dangers of guns and the importance of making the right decisions," said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis.

In addition to providing the pledges to school leaders and students in the 45 counties that make up Mississippi’s Southern District, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will also coordinate with community leaders and law enforcement agencies to provide speakers at several schools to talk to students about what they can do to reduce gun violence in their communities.

If your school is interested in participating in the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence, please contact Sheila Wilbanks at Sheila.wilbanks@usdoj.gov.