Columbia NAACP chapter asks community to join in the fight against gun violence

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Summer time means school’s out but recent years have also seen an increase in gun violence among teens according to local law enforcement.

One group in town is hoping to address this alarming trend.

Community leaders, political candidates and law enforcement are all different parts of the community who are calling for a stop to the recent increase in gun violence in Richland County.

Sheriff Leon Lott had this to say after a shooting involving dozens of unsupervised teens at a pool last month.

“Our community is living in terror right now because of individuals who are indiscriminately shooting,” Lott said.

“In the past month, there have been at least four shoutouts in the Columbia area involving multiple youths ranging from the age of 14 years old to 18 years old,” said Parents for Peace chair Sherrie Flowers. “It resulted in at least two deaths.”

The Columbia branch of the NAACP held a press conference Wednesday afternoon addressing the issue.

The branch has a ‘Parents for Peace’ committee that aims to reduce violence in the community and support families that have been impacted.

The committee chair spoke against recent legislation passed that allows 18 and 19 year olds to carry a weapon without training.

“They’re uneducated in used a weapon, are modifying them and our children are not safe at parties, graduation, prom, the pool or walking in the neighborhood,” Flowers said.

In light of recent shootings, Flowers shared this message with those in attendance.

“I want to plead to the Columbia area parents. We have got to take accountability. Parents, it starts with us,” said Flowers. “There are things that we can do. Check bookbags, pockets, clothes, car and shoes. More than anything else, sit down and talk to your child. Know what’s going on in your child’s life.”

Sheriff Lott echoes these words.

“Go search their room or car right now and go find their guns. That’s what you need to do as a parent. There’s no privacy in the house. They didn’t pay for the house,” the sheriff said. “Why are the parents not finding the guns? Are they condoning what’s going on?”