Illinois legislators, the Kane County sheriff and a Harvard University professor discussed gun violence solutions Friday in front of a capacity crowd at Prisco Center in Aurora.
Illinois congressmen Bill Foster (D-11th) and Raja Krishnamoothi (D-8th) co-sponsored “Taking Time to Save Lives: A Discussion on Gun Violence.” Other panelists were congressman Sean Casten (D-6th); Ron Hain, Kane County sheriff; and Deepak Malhotra, Harvard University business professor.
According to Foster, the community discussion had two objectives:
• Hold a discussion among congressional members, advocates, and experts in the growing public health epidemic of gun violence and what legislative efforts the Illinois delegation is doing to promote common sense gun safety measures;
• Draw attention to recently co-sponsored legislation on Cool Off Act research legislation and make connections to implications for domestic violence prevention and suicide prevention.
Malhotra gave details of connections among Cool Off legislation, research and communities. Hain presented strategies under way to combat gun violence in communities.
The hour-long discussion concluded with questions for 25 minutes.
— Al Benson
Al Benson/The Voice