News Archive
IU McKinney to Present Symposium on Gun Laws and Violence on October 1
09/21/2021
National experts on gun laws and gun violence will join two IU McKinney Law Program on Law and State Government (PLSG) Fellows for a day-long symposium, “Gun Laws and Gun Violence: State Governments Making a Difference,” on October 1.
The symposium agenda includes Joseph Blocher of the Center of Firearms Law at Duke Law School and Mike McLively of the Giffords Law Center during virtual presentations in the morning.
In the afternoon, live and in-person in the law school's Wynne Courtroom, speakers and topics include:
- A panel discussion on “The Jake Laird Law: Efficacy and Adjudication of Red Flag Laws” with the Hon. Susan Brooks, IU McKinney Adjunct Professor of Law; Lt. Brad Hoffeditz, Indiana State Police Legal Counsel and Legislative Director; and attorney Guy Relford, ’83.
- “Investigating Gun Violence, Trauma, and the Effectiveness of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs” with Dr. Joseph B. Richardson, Jr., Professor, University of College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine
- A book discussion with John Woodrow Cox, Washington Post staff writer and author of the book Children Under Fire: An American Crisis.
- Presentations by PLSG Fellow Chaka Coleman (pictured above, right) on “Gun Rights and Gun Violence: Can Data Disrupt the Status Quo” and PLSG Fellow Katie Whitley (pictured above, left) on “Gun Violence, Community Trauma, and the Law.”
- A social hour following the event.
Coleman was first introduced to the justice system while working as a bailiff in the Marion County courts, where the impact of gun violence is seen almost daily. She also grew up around sportsmen who enjoyed hunting and firearms as part of rural life.
She used her fellowship year to focus on the relationship between data collection and gun violence, and how a response can still protect Second Amendment rights.
“For me, the data is so important,” Coleman says. “You can’t solve a problem unless you understand the core issues. Our research and the symposium will address issues—gun rights and gun violence—that are often talked about, not really addressed at the molecular level.”
For PLSG Fellow Whitley, the topic of gun violence is personal. A former middle school science teacher in Indianapolis, Whitley has attended funerals for students who once sat in her classroom. She can count 11 former students who have died as a result of gun violence.
“I am approaching this issue with a sense of urgency,” Whitley says. “Some states have been able implement some reforms and have helped communities address violence through intervention programs. Indiana can take steps to make a difference for cities like Indianapolis that have unacceptable rates of gun violence.”
Registration details:
In Person Registration for IU McKinney students, faculty and staff: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/registrations/registration850.cfm
In Person Registration for non-IU McKinney constituents: https://indianauniv.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/register.aspx?OrgCode=10&EvtID=10400&AppCode=REG&CC=121090150750
Free Webinar Registration for all constituents: https://iu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U9-6qvMxQUaVjLgKzxAR8Q
