Noah, Illegal Gun Possession, Georgia 2020

Macon, GA – A public service campaign aimed at educating young people on gun consequences earns international recognition

MACON, Ga. – Local honorees of an international media award, including U.S. District Judge, federal law enforcement officials and the Executive Director of the Public Defender’s Office, were given statuettes at a ceremony held on Oct. 26 at the U.S. Courthouse in Macon.

‘Armed with Knowledge’ (AWK), a locally-produced video project that warns of the consequences of illegally possessing a gun, was recognized with two 2021 Telly Awards. The video was produced by the Peyton Anderson Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Georgia, Inc.

The video depicts the story of Noah, a preteen youth facing life-altering decisions that lead to illegal possession of a firearm, a federal crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of ten years. The Telly Awards is a prestigious video and film industry event that recognizes excellence in video and television storytelling. This year, the organization received over 12,000 entries from 50 states and five countries.

Since the video’s debut in 2020, it has been shown to thousands of Georgia youth, including 4,886 middle school students in Bibb County Public Schools. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia implemented AWK as part of its own Successful Tips for Youth on Law Enforcement Encounters (S.T.Y.L.E.) youth outreach program. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has committed to utilize the program in its own youth outreach efforts.

‘Armed with Knowledge’s message is not only impacting our local youth audience but is now recognized nationally for its powerful and purposeful message,’ said Karen Lambert, president of the Peyton Anderson Foundation. ‘The Foundation is proud to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Georgia, Inc., the Bibb County Public Schools and the Macon-Bibb Sheriff’s Office on this imperative social awareness and impact campaign.’

‘Representing the indigent accused for more than three decades has given me a front row seat to the devastating consequences young people—especially young men of color—endure when they make what might seem like a small mistake at the time,’ said Federal Defender Tina Hunt, Executive Director of Federal Defenders of the Middle District of Georgia, Inc. ‘My hope is that young people who view ‘Armed with Knowledge’ will make the same courageous choices Noah makes, and that we can even reach young people who have already made bad choices before they make more and suffer the life-long consequences.’

‘Reducing violent crime cannot be achieved by prosecution alone. As a community, we must help young people learn about the real consequences of choosing to pick up a gun so that we can stop violence from happening before it occurs,’ said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. ‘We are grateful for the support this public service project has received from the Bibb County School System and other youth-based organizations and churches. We are hopeful that more people will come to the table and take advantage of this free program for youth.’

The Telly Awards recognizes excellence in video and television storytelling, with ‘Armed with Knowledge’ being recognized for its powerful and purposeful message. This year, the organization received over 12,000 entries from 50 states and five countries.

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