ATF, National Association of School Resource Officers Partner to Prevent Gang and...

ATF, National Association of School Resource Officers Partner to Prevent Gang
and Firearms-Related Violence in Schools

BALTIMORE, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Association of School Resource
Officers (NASRO) today announced a new, enhanced partnership to address and
prevent gangs and firearms violence in schools. ATF is a principal law
enforcement agency within the Department of Justice dedicated to reducing
violent crime nationwide.

"Violent incidents at school or on the playground are always a parent's worst
nightmare," said ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson. "ATF is working hard,
through our firearms trafficking initiatives, to keep guns out of the hands of
children and off of schools grounds. We are committed to making our schools
and school grounds safe places for our children to learn, grow and develop."

"NASRO is excited to be a part of this important announcement by Acting
Director Kenneth Melson and the partnership with ATF," said Dr. Richard
Caster, NASRO executive director.

The partnership seeks to focus ATF's investigative, intelligence and training
resources to address and prevent firearms violence in all schools. ATF's
commitment includes:

-- ATF subject matter experts on school-based violence providing training
at the school resource officer and school safety conferences supported
by NASRO; and
-- Working with NASRO and local law enforcement to evaluate firearms
trends
among juveniles, as well as firearms-related gang activity in our
schools.

ATF historically has been involved in programs designed to provide students
with the skills they need to avoid youth violence and to develop beliefs and
activities that will help them avoid destructive behaviors.

For more information on ATF programs, visit its website at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Public Affairs Division
(202) 648-8500
NASRO, PIO Kevin Quinn
(480) 703-1548

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Public Affairs Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, +1-202-648-8500; or PIO Kevin Quinn of NASRO, +1-480-703-1548