What Obama Means When He Says "Nobody Is Coming For Your Guns"

Robert Gehl reports that a young, black teenager is doing what Barack Obama won’t: take action against gun violence.

Chris Suggs hails from Kinston, North Carolina, a “great small town,” as he describes it, but things were going downhill quickly for several years.

In 2014, there was a spree of gun violence involving local youth. Gang activity was rampant and people were terrified.

Suggs decided to do something. ABC News reports:

“Since young people are affected by these issues, we also need to be at the table when it comes to developing solutions,” Suggs said. That’s when he came up with the idea of starting Kinston Teens. “I’ve always been passionate about my community and trying to make a difference. So when it came to trying to start an organization focused around those things it was really easy for me.”

So in October 2014, Suggs held a press conference, inviting local officials, young people and school administrators to tell them that young people had a voice too. “Immediately young people started getting on board and adults started supporting us,” said Suggs. “We started making the news and to make a difference.”

Suggs organized mentor programs, a youth leadership summit, street cleaning squads and efforts to have an immediate, visible impact in his town.

It’s all about the short-term goals that Kinston’s young people can see immediate rewards that helps them see their potential.

Since it began, the organization has had more than 1,000 youths participate and get involved in the Kinston community.

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“One thing I’ve learned is that a lot of people don’t volunteer because they’ve really never been asked to,” said Suggs. “But once I ask them, that lights a spark in their head and they want to join the movement.”

Suggs has also developed strong relationships with Kinston leaders and the Kinston Police Department.

“Chris came to us as a young boy. He wasn’t even a teenager then. But he had unbelievable outside-thinking strategies. As a police chief, you want that connection with the youth.” said Chief Greg Thompson.

“One lesson that I have learned working with Chris,” said Kinston Mayor BJ Murphy, “is that in most communities the young people probably aren’t getting heard. And it’s taught me not to discount the youth in this community.”

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