By Lanell Downs Smith

Third graders at Luverne Elementary observed the National Day of Concern for Young People and Gun Violence by committing to the SAFE Student Pledge on Oct. 16.

Students were led in their commitment by Luverne Police Department School Resource Officer (SRO) Carlton Carmichael, who spent the day educating Luverne Elementary students about firearms safety as part of the U.S. Attorney General’s Office initiative aimed at protecting America’s young people from gun-related deaths.

“I will never play with a gun, even if it looks like a toy,” students said as they pledged to observe firearms safety. “If I find a gun, I will not touch it, and I will tell a grownup right away. I know how important it is to keep myself safe.”

After reciting the pledge, students signed their name to the Stand Against Firearm Endangerment (SAFE) Student Pledge. The observance was an inaugural event at Luverne School, replicated in schools across the country.

“This is the first time we have done this,” Carmichael said. “Next year, we hope to expand the effort into the high school.”

After swearing to the pledge, students participated in a question and answer session. Most were curious about Carmichael’s role as a police officer.

“What’s it like being a police officer,” Jackie asked Carmichael.

“It is challenging but it’s also rewarding,” Carmichael said. “I am here to take a bullet for you. If somebody comes into this school, my job is to keep you safe. Your job is to stay here and learn.”

Third grade teacher, Delicia Barrow, said Carmichael’s visit with students enables her to help students understand how to be safe.

“They are definitely interested in what he has to say,” Barrow said. “They were very engaged in the conversation. They do like to ask questions and I’m glad he had the opportunity to come in and talk with them because they are curious about the people in their community.”

“We take [firearms] very seriously,” Carmichael told students in Leana Faulkner’s classroom. “Your school is partnering with the Luverne Police Department and the U.S. Attorney General’s office for this pledge. The pledge is to keep you safe, so when you see a gun you are going to tell somebody to keep yourself safe. Right?”

“Right,” students echoed.