Gun Violence in America: A Moderated Forum and Panel Discussion

The League of Women Voters Dakota County will host a public forum concerning gun violence in America and related public policy issues. The forum is free and all are invited to attend. The forum will consist of a brief presentation on gun violence data, a review of current Minnesota gun laws by Burnsville Police Sergeant David Powers, and a panel discussion considering potential strategies to reduce gun violence and related 2nd Amendment issues. The panel discussion will be moderated by Mary Rice, President of LWV Bloomington. Panelists will include Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, Executive Director of Protect Minnesota, Bryan Strawser, Chairman of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, Rep. Erin Maye Quade, MN House District 57A, and Rep. Steve Drazkowski, MN House District 21B. The panel discussion will include a question and answer session. Members of the public may submit questions for the panelists either in advance via email to lwvdakotacty@lwvmn.org or in writing during the forum. The forum will be recorded and video of the event will be published online at lwvdakotacounty.org and on LWV Dakota County’s Facebook page. LWV Minnesota and LWV of the U.S. have adopted various policy positions with regard to guns and violence prevention. However, this forum is intended to be educational and feature a variety of viewpoints, rather than support the policy positions adopted by the League of Women Voters.