Community leaders urge Anson County to formally back coalition to curb gun violence

Community leaders asked Anson County commissioners to formally recognize and support a countywide coalition aimed at reducing gun violence and to consider public investment to sustain the effort.

Leon Gatewood, founder and CEO of the Holler Community Development Corporation, described the newly branded Anson Coalition for Peace as a cross‑sector partnership of nonprofits, faith leaders, law enforcement and grassroots groups. Gatewood said the group held a town hall on June 18 (sic in oral remarks) that drew more than 80 attendees and that the coalition had launched biweekly meetings and a community safety survey to inform prevention work.

Cynthia Wallace, introduced by Gatewood as representing the New Rural Project, told commissioners the approach treats violence as a public‑health issue and relies on trusted local residents to identify and mediate conflicts early. Wallace cited an example from Charlotte’s alternatives‑to‑violence program and said similar work contributed to a reported 63% reduction in nonfatal shootings in the Charlotte target area.

"This is not another program — it is a coordinated way for this county to come together and address one of its most urgent challenges," Gatewood said, asking the board to align county efforts, explore funding and recognize the coalition formally so it can position itself as a central hub for violence prevention.

Commissioners responded positively and said they would consider what formal recognition and support might look like; no vote was taken at the meeting. Officials noted that county support could include in‑kind assistance, fiscal sponsorship, or both, and asked coalition leaders to provide specifics so the board could evaluate potential partnership models.