"PROMOTING PEACE THROUGH MUSIC!"
"MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE"
"Drop The Guns, Pick Up An Instrument" is a nonprofit organization registered in the state of Maryland. We are an anti-gun violence and peace organization aimed at reducing/eliminating gun violence in communities in Maryland (and beyond) while promoting music & the arts. Founded by a Baltimore musician and former music teacher, "Drop The Guns, Pick Up An Instrument" was formed to bring about a favorable change to our streets and communities by using music to positively engage our youth and young adults.
Gun Violence Data: While it's difficult to pinpoint an exact percentage for gun crimes committed by youth, some data points suggest significant involvement. For instance, those ages 18 to 20 account for 22% of homicide arrests. Black male teens and young adults (ages 15-34) accounted for 34% of all gun homicides in 2022, despite representing only 2% of the U.S. population. Overall, 43% of annual homicides worldwide involve youths aged 10 to 29. These ever-changing statistics are troubling and alarming. We're here to help rewrite this narrative.
Show your support for the cause either by becoming a volunteer, by donating new/lightly-used instruments or by making a financial contribution of any amount to our nonprofit organization. Together, we can help to make our cities safer and the futures of our youth/young adults brighter!
"ENGAGING OUR YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS - THE POWER OF MUSIC!"
Our Mission
Our Conclusion
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to promote peace through music! What this looks like is a uniquely-created community program designed to positively engage youth and young adults in various aspect of music including giving beginner instrument lessons, providing ongoing music support after their beginner lessons end, helping to purchase instruments
Our mission is simple: to promote peace through music! What this looks like is a uniquely-created community program designed to positively engage youth and young adults in various aspect of music including giving beginner instrument lessons, providing ongoing music support after their beginner lessons end, helping to purchase instruments for them to keep and encouraging higher institution learning.
Our Belief
Our Conclusion
Our Mission
Our belief is this: If youth and young adults are presented with an opportunity to engage in music in a fun, structured, motivating and positive way, they would be less likely to engage in street and gun violence. There are many success stories of how music saved individuals from heading down a negative, violent road.
Our Conclusion
Our Conclusion
Our Conclusion
Our conclusion: If everyone (parents, schools, elected officials, law enforcement, athletic organizations and celebrities) can rally behind our mission and this belief, we will see a DRAMATIC drop in street and gun violence!