Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is it?

A: A national observance giving students throughout the country the chance to sign a voluntary promise that they will:

• never carry a gun to school
• never resolve a dispute with a gun
• use their influence with their friends to keep them from resolving disputes with guns.

The Pledge will be followed by an acknowledgment of the importance of individual decisions, multiplied.

Q: When is it?

A: The Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence and national distribution of the Student Pledge will take place on October 20, 2004.

Q: Who will participate in it?

A: Every student in the country, from middle school through high school, should be given a copy of the Pledge on October 20, 2004. Schools and other community institutions such as churches and synagogues can use the weeks leading up to the distribution of the Pledge to talk about the power that young people have to reverse the violence that is claiming so many lives. Schools and communities will be free to create their own activities around distribution of the Pledge.

Every person in the country concerned about the toll of gun violence on our young people can participate in this event -- by organizing community events prior to the distribution of the Pledge, by making sure that their own local schools are distributing the Pledge, and by using the Pledge as a vehicle for letting young people know about our concern for them and our desire to see them grow up safely.

The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is endorsed by numerous national organizations of parents, educators, administrators, religious leaders, and students themselves. To see a list of endorsing organizations, click here.

Q: What are some activities for the Day of National Concern?

A: There are numerous possibilities, but for a few suggestions you might want to read the Suggested activities for the Day of National Concern.


Q: Why a national observance? Why not deal with the issue on a school-by-school, town-by-town basis?

A: By taking part in a large national observance, young people can envision the possiblity of reversing the tide of violence and diminishing one of the greatest threats to their health and safety.

There is power in large numbers acting together. While it is very valuable for students to study conflict resolution in their classrooms, they need to know that there will be millions of other young people making the same decisions they are at the same time. If they take the Pledge -- and mean it -- others will too. We encourage community and school efforts to bring home the shared spirit and the power of collective action.

Also, the Day of National Concern and distribution of the Pledge can bring Americans together in a kind of national town meeting, united in our concern for young people. As the endorsing letter from the League of Women Voters of the US said, "The Day of National Concern can focus discussion of the problem of young people and gun violence at both the national and community level, and will empower young people to see themselves as agents of change."

Q: Where can I get more information about the Student Pledge and the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence?

A: You can request an information packet from the following organizations:

Council of the Great City Schools
1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Suite 702
Washington, D.C. 20004

Student Pledge Against Gun Violence
112 Nevada St.
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-5378
FAX: (507) 663-1207