As the nation grapples with the continuing tragedy of mass shootings, Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a live virtual panel discussion, "Facts and Evidence: Navigating the Gun Debate in America," on Tuesday, June 7, at noon CT about the issue of gun violence in America. The discussion will feature expert faculty and guest speakers, including Vanderbilt University's Jonathan Metzl and James Blumstein and Georgetown University's Mary McCord.
The panel will address the facts and evidence surrounding gun violence, including data on gun deaths, mass shootings, violent crime, public opinion statistics, potential solutions and the roadblocks to such solutions. This event will be free and open to the public. Registration for the live Zoom webinar is requested.
Register here to watch live. >>
The discussion will be moderated by Samar Ali, research professor of political science and law, co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, and president and CEO of Millions of Conversations, a nonprofit that brings Americans together by promoting positivity and inclusion to transcend critical divides. The panelists include experts on sociology, medicine, psychiatry, health policy, law, constitutional advocacy and more:
- Jonathan Metzl holds the Frederick B. Rentschler II Chair and is professor of medicine, health and society, professor of sociology and professor of psychiatry. Metzl is the director of the Department of Medicine, Health and Society and a renowned expert on gun violence and mental illness. He has recently appeared on ABC, MSNBC, C-SPAN and many other national media outlets discussing gun violence.
- James Blumstein is University Professor of Constitutional Law and Health Law and Policy, professor of management at Owen Graduate School of Management and director of the Vanderbilt Health Policy Center. Blumstein is a nationally renowned and published scholar of health law, law and medicine and voting rights.
- Mary McCord is a visiting professor of law and the executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center, and she was acting assistant attorney general for national security from 2016 to 2017. She has been published numerous times in national news outlets, spoken to national media, submitted amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court and testified before Congress in her areas of expertise.
What: "Facts and Evidence: Navigating the Gun Debate in America"
When: Tuesday, June 7, at noon CT
Where: Register here.
About the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy is a nonpartisan initiative that aims to elevate research and evidence-based reasoning into the national conversation. Drawing on original research, evidence-based papers and crucial conversations from Vanderbilt's world-class faculty and visionary thought leaders of all political persuasions, the timely endeavor aims to give policymakers and the public tools to combat conspiracy theories and unfounded ideology with evidence, data and respectful discourse. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy can make a meaningful contribution to solving society's most pressing challenges and bridging our deepest differences.
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