TEENS ASKED NOT TO TAKE GUNS TO SCHOOL

~Correction: Correct e-mail address is mlgrow@microassist.com.

JACKSON -- Rates of juvenile gun violations are low in this region, and Jennifer Rhodes wants to keep it that way.

"It's not really a problem, but there's always a chance somebody will do it," said Rhodes, 14, a ninth-grader at R.O. Hawkins Junior High.

She is one of two national youth representatives in Missouri spearheading a pledge drive for Thursday's Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence.

The event is a national observance established three years ago by the U.S. Senate to reduce the incidents of gun violence at schools and among students. Students are asked to sign a pledge that promises they will never carry a gun to school, will never resolve disputes with a gun and will use their influence with friends to keep them from resolving disputes with guns.

Organizers of the national effort hope to get 2 million students to sign and return the pledge Thursday in celebration of the Day of National Concern.

Juvenile officer Randy Rhodes said the 32nd Judicial Circuit generally deals with a small number of weapons violations each year. Juvenile offenders in the region are more often processed for nonviolent offenses, including stealing, property damage and misdemeanor assault, than a weapons violation, he said.

The circuit, which includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties, has processed only two weapons violations involving guns this year. There have been seven cases of weapons violations that did not involve guns this year.

"I'm happy with it," Randy Rhodes said. "It's a good statistic per population."

Jennifer Rhodes first became interested in the national campaign after reading an article in Girl's Life magazine last year. She hopes that by promoting the pledge, she will help other young people in the area to think about how the decisions they make can affect themselves and others.

"If one child changes their mind about bringing a gun to school, then all these efforts are way, way worthwhile," she said.

Jennifer Rhodes said the national pledge is a way to "get the word out and stop them before it happens." Although some young people may not seriously consider the pledge, she said many of those who sign it plan to honor their promises.

"It's really a personal thing for each person," she said. "If people sign the pledge and mean it, then others probably will, too."

The national organization encourages schools, families and community groups to sponsor special anti-gun violence activities on the Day of National Concern. Pledges should be collected and tallied, then reported to the national organization.

For ideas for activities or discussion contacts, visit the national Web site at www.pledge.org.

For more information or to report tallies, contact Mary Lewis Grow by writing 112 Nevada St., Northfield, Minn. 55057. Grow also can be reached by calling (507) 645-5378, faxing (507) 645-4231, or by e-mail at mlgrow

YOUNG PEOPLE AND GUN VIOLENCE

Reducing incidents of gun violence at schools and maong students is the goal of the Day of National concern about Young People and gun Vilence. Area students are being asked to support the effort by signing a pledge against gun violence and returning it to their school. The national association spearheading the effort hopes over one million students sign pledges this year.

WEAPONS VIOLATIONS

CAPE GIRARDEAU, BOLLINGER AND PERRY COUNTY

Since January 1999...

*2 incidents of unlawful use of weapons (guns): Class D felony

*7 incidents of unlawful use of weapons (knives, battles, etc.): Class B misdeemeanor

Source: Juvenile officer Randy Rhodes

STATEWIDE

In 1997...

0 to 11 years old, 74

12 years old, 70

13 years old, 113

14 years old, 151

15 years old, 211

16 years old, 249