U.S. Attorney Gregory K. 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 three Jackson middle schools as part of his office’s annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.

Today, middle school students at Peeples Middle School, Whitten Preparatory School, and Siwell Middle School took a voluntary pledge 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 pledge was administered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson and Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd.

Before taking the pledge, the students heard presentations from U.S. Attorney Gregory Davis, Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance, Sheriff Victor Mason, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Reed with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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 once again take this opportunity to reach out to local students to engage in a dialogue about gun violence and the importance of making good choices," said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to coordinate with community leaders and law enforcement agencies to provide speakers at 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.