Under the Gun: The National Debate Over Gun Control - Debate - College of Humanities

4/17/2013

Click here for streaming video of the demonstration debate.

Click here for streaming video of the panel discussion.

The John R. Park Debate Society (the University of Utah Forensics Team) is pleased to host Senator Allen M. Christensen, W. Clark Aposhian (FairWarning), Mitch Vilos (Utah Gun Law Attorney & Author), Jean Hill (Salt Lake Catholic Diocese), Maryann Martindale (Alliance for a Better Utah), and Steve Gunn (Utah Gun Violence Prevention Center) in a public forum focused on the controversial question of gun control and firearms restrictions.

What:
"Under the Gun: The National Debate Over Gun Control” presented by the John R. Park Debate Society
Who:
Senator Allen M. Christensen, W. Clark Aposhian (FairWarning), Mitch Vilos (Utah Gun Law Attorney & Author), Jean Hill (Salt Lake Catholic Diocese), Maryann Martindale (Alliance for a Better Utah), and Steve Gunn (Utah Gun Violence Prevention Center)
When:
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Where:
Social & Behavioral Sciences Auditorium, University of Utah Campus

Guests in this event were active participants in the recent legislative and public debate over House Bill 76 (HB76), which would have expanded the ability for Utah residents to carry concealed firearms. HB76 passed both houses of the state legislature, but was vetoed by Governor Herbert on March 22^nd. Herbert explained the veto, stating “I have yet to receive any credible evidence that Utah’s current permit process constitutes a hardship.” And, that existing Utah permit procedures, “ha[ve] been in place for decades, and in its current form for more than 15 years. In that time, it has become a national model.”

Senator Allen M. Christensen (R) has represented Senate District 19 since 2005 and was Senate Sponsor of HB76. He disagreed with the governor’s veto, explaining it as “buckling into the fear of guns right now.” Gun Violence Prevention Center board member, Steve Gunn, praised the governor’s veto. He commented, “I think it showed courage on the governor’s part, and good sense. The governor has said all along that he didn’t like the bill and that he didn’t see a reason to change the existing system. So his action is consistent with his words, which is refreshing in a politician.”

Clark Aposhian of Fair Warning, Maryann Martindale of Alliance for a Better, and Jean Hill of the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese also weighed in regularly during the initial legislative debate over the legislation.

In addition, the University of Utah Forensics Team will be conducting a demonstration debate on the resolution, “Resolved: The USFG should enact the Assault Weapons Ban.”

The event is free and open to the public.

For additional information, please contact Michael Middleton m.middleton@utah.edu.