Students from East sign the pledge.
United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced that on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, members of the U. S. Attorney’s Office and their law enforcement partners met with students across South Carolina as part of as part of South Carolina’s 11th annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. Middle and high school students signed 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.
Elementary school children made a simpler commitment, pledging that if they see a gun they will not touch it, they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded, and they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult.
East, South, and Stewart Heights Elementary Schools participated.
The effort is part of South Carolina’s Project CeaseFire, which is South Carolina’s implementation of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which is aimed at reducing gun violence. The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role that young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. This campaign against youth gun violence culminates each October in a “Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence.”
The program provides a means for beginning the conversation with young people about gun violence.
Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part to end gun violence.
Over the years, millions of students nationwide have signed the pledge.
“Once again our office is pleased to take this opportunity to reach out to South Carolina students and engage in a dialogue with students about gun violence and the importance of making right choices,” stated Mr. Nettles.
