Mississippi Students Pledge Against Gun Violence in DOJ Drive

Gun violence isn’t just a statistic in Jackson, Mississippi—it’s a daily threat creeping into hallways and neighborhoods. But today, hundreds of middle schoolers at Peeples Middle School, Whitten Preparatory School, and Siwell Middle School drew a line: no guns, no retaliation, no silence. Under the watchful eyes of federal prosecutors and law enforcement brass, they took the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence—a direct pushback against the city’s entrenched cycle of armed conflict.

The pledge, administered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson and Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd, is no ceremonial gesture. Students vowed, one by one, to never bring a gun to school, never use a firearm to settle a dispute, and to actively stop peers from doing the same. It’s a moral contract backed by federal authority, part of a broader campaign led by U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and his office in the Southern District of Mississippi.

Before the pledge, students sat through hard truths delivered by some of the state’s top law enforcement figures. U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis laid it bare: choices matter. Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance, Sheriff Victor Mason, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Reed, and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux followed with real-world warnings—guns lead to graves, not respect. No platitudes, no sugarcoating.

The initiative is national, but the stakes are local. Since 1996, over 10 million students across the U.S. have taken the pledge, coinciding with the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. In Mississippi, where youth gun offenses remain a persistent threat, the message is urgent: the next shooter could be stopped by a classmate who said ‘no’ first.

‘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. But this isn’t just outreach—it’s intervention. The U.S. Attorney’s Office plans to keep showing up, partnering with schools and community leaders to flood classrooms with voices of consequence.

Schools interested in joining the effort can contact Sheila Wilbanks at Sheila.wilbanks@usdoj.gov. The pledge doesn’t end with a ceremony—it’s meant to start a movement inside lockers, hallways, and group chats where violence often begins. In Jackson, the fight against guns now has a new front line: kids who’ve promised to stand down.