A non-profit group looking to end gun violence released a new public service video Friday urging Americans to recognize warning signs of impending gun violence.
The video, part of Sandy Hook Promise’s “Know the Signs” campaign, follows a young, high school boy named Evan as he leaves notes for a mysterious pen pal on a library desk. After much anticipation Evan finally comes face-to-face with the pretty girl behind the written notes. Yet, their brief introduction is interrupted as another student enters the school with a gun.
The catch — the shooter was lurking just behind Evan in many of the scenes, displaying what the group says are warning signs of gun violence.
“These acts are preventable when you know the signs. Everyone has the power to intervene and get help. These actions can save lives,” Co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise Nicole Hockley told CNN.
The non-profit has created a guide and interactive website to coincide with the video’s release. Both strive to demonstrate common warning signs of youth gun violence to include aggressive behavior towards other students, bullying and easy access to firearms.
Hockley said she hopes the video PSA is a “eye opener” for the public and one that pushes them to get informed.
“I just want people to watch this video, it is a compelling video I want them to know that there are actions that they can take in their own community, in their own family, to make a difference,” Hockley told ABC News. “All the training we provide is completely free. We just want to save lives.”
In addition to raising awareness, the group also conducts training throughout the country designed to curb gun violence. That training has reached more than one million people and prevented at least one shooting plot in Cincinnati, according to Hockley.
Sandy Hook Promise’s mission to curb gun violence and raise awareness is a personal one to Hockley. Her six-year-old son, Dylan, was gunned down by Adam Lanza at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut nearly four years ago. Now Hockley, along with other families from Sandy Hook, work to prevent others from feeling the pain of tragic loss.
“I can’t go back in time and save Dylan but in his name we can save a lot of other people,” said Hockley.
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