Signage on FAMU’s campus. [Jalen Daffin/FAMUAN]
Florida A&M University students are organizing around gun violence prevention and calling on lawmakers to prioritize public safety and reform.
Established in January 2024, FAMU’s chapter of Students Demand Action advocates for “common-sense gun laws” in a state known for its expansive gun rights. The organization works to equip students with the knowledge, skills and training needed to engage with the public, media and policymakers about gun safety.
SDA President Elisha McDowell said the group’s goal is to educate and encourage open conversations about gun violence, particularly within Black communities.
“Most students have been directly or indirectly affected by gun violence at some point in their lives, and I want to encourage them to get involved because this problem disproportionately affects Black people,” McDowell said.
She defined “common-sense gun laws” as including secure firearm storage, proper registration and mandatory background checks.
“As of right now, we are against HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a gun from 21 to 18,” McDowell said.
McDowell’s commitment to the cause began after a shooting at a party she attended in her hometown of East Cleveland, Ohio. She later attended Gun Sense University 2024, a national conference hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety, where she noticed a lack of Black youth representation in the conversation about gun violence prevention.
“I was determined to get more Black students involved to show that we are not just a statistic,” she said. “We are people who struggle and fight against the systemic racism and oppression that affect our communities.”
Despite being a relatively new organization, McDowell said SDA is making progress.
“Advocacy is about showing up even when you think you have no supporters,” she said. “It’s about raising awareness for what you believe in.”
McDowell said that while SDA is gaining traction, some students hesitate to join because they view the organization as too political. She hopes to change that perception.
“I think that students are intimidated by our organization because it is political, but times are showing that everything about our lives is political — down to the food that we eat,” McDowell said. “Students can support us by taking a leap of faith to join us and share our message.”
FAMU’s SDA chapter has partnered with several campus and community organizations, including RISE Tallahassee, Big Brother Little Brother Inc., the Alpha Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., NCNW and NABCJ.
The group will host “Night at the Flame” on Nov. 20 to honor lives lost to gun violence and encourage students to get involved in prevention efforts.
Students interested in joining the movement can text STUDENT to 644-33 to learn more about gun safety advocacy.