State Rep. Vernon Smith (seated) and State Rep. Charlie Brown

Legislators host forum to decrease gun violence

Contributed By:The 411 News

State Reps. Charlie Brown and Dr. Vernon G. Smith (both D-Gary) will co-host a town hall in Gary on April 7 to gain public input on ways to reduce the tide of violence caused by guns across this country.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. local time Saturday, April 7 in the Glen Theatre, located at 20 W. Ridge Road in Gary.

Brown and Smith were inspired to conduct the area town hall in response to the growing movement to reduce gun violence that has been started by young people around the United States.

“This is one of those times when the youth of America is stepping up to demand action and leadership from elected officials at all levels of government,” Smith said. “We want to hear from the young people of Northwest Indiana, but we encourage all who are fed up that nothing is being done to join with us on April 7 and offer their ideas on what should be done. We are there to listen, not to present.”

During their time in the Indiana General Assembly, both lawmakers have been staunch advocates of legislation designed to reduce the horrors caused by guns in our society.

“I have filed legislation for gun control every year that I have served in the Indiana House, a time frame that stretches nearly 28 years,” Smith said. “While the temptation has been to portray me as someone who wants to get rid of all guns, my philosophy always has focused on training, licensing and safety, as well as a ban on assault weapons. In short, I have advocated the kind of common sense behavior toward guns that we have not seen from our leaders in government.”

Brown added, “My career always has been dedicated to public health, and I cannot think of an issue that has impacted the lives of so many people so unnecessarily than guns and violence caused by guns. In short, gun violence is a public health issue. While events in Florida have heightened public awareness about school safety, this is something that is impacting people’s lives everywhere...not only in schools, but where we work and live and even where we worship. A societal problem demands societal answers and we want the dialogue to continue now.”

Story Posted:03/28/2018