The 2007 Student Pledge Against Gun Violence

The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence will be on October 24, 2007. Over 32,000 students will be receiving the pledge!

The The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence was a huge success last year! The event took place on October 18, 2006 all over country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office distributed pledge information to law enforcement and prosecutor offices throughout the Northern District of Indiana. According to press reports, the cities of East Chicago, Gary, South Bend, Lowell, Hebron, Huntington, Cedar Lake, Demotte and the Miami County Sheriff's Department partnered with schools to have children make a pledge against gun violence. This was part of a national program where schools ask students to make a pledge to resist gun violence. The pledges are slightly different for elementary students compared to middle or high school students, but convey the message that guns should not be used to settle arguments or be handled by children. This pledge was signed by students and enforced by parents, teachers and other students who are aware of the signed pledge. By giving students a common pledge and the choice to sign it in the company of their peers, while knowing that students across the country are doing the same, collectively helps young people understand that they too can make a difference in the reduction of gun violence in their area and across their community.

Nationally, gun violence is intolerably high and poses a serious threat to America’s young people. According to a recent report by the National Ad Council, a teenager in this country is more likely to die from a gunshot wound than from all other natural causes of death combined. In 2002, 81% of all murder victims between the ages of 13 and 24 were killed with a gun. Furthermore, almost 1 in 20 high-school students say they have carried a gun in the past month.

Throughout the Northern District of Indiana, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has made a commitment to the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Initiative to reduce gun violence through outreach and enforcement efforts. If you or your agency is interested in participating in the pledge this year, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Youth Violence Reduction Coordinator, Jesse Rodgers via e-mail at jesse.rodgers@sbcglobal.net, regarding the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program. Mr. Rodgers will provide further information to interested agencies.

Click the link below for a copy of this year's Pledge Against Gun Violence