Stephen Barton is living testimony to surviving the unexpected turns life sends one's way. Last summer he was on a cross-country cycling trip. He stopped in Aurora, Colorado and decided to go the movies. He became a shooting victim in one of the worst mass shootings in our nation's history.
Stephen had just graduated from Syracuse University when he was shot. He returns to campus tonight as a representative of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. He is the keynote speaker in a discussion entitled "Guns and America." Adding to his perspective, Stephen also grew up a few minutes away from Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT.
He has become an articulate advocate for dialogue about guns in our communities. He talks of a balance between 2nd Ammendment rights and public safety. He believes better and more widespread background checks can reduce the chance for guns ending up in the hands of the wrong people.
Barton's view will not be the sole voice heard inside Hendricks Chapel from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
The discussion panel includes:
- Scott Armstrong, political communications consultant and former lobbyist for the National Rifle Association;
- Helen Hudson, Syracuse Common Councilor At-Large and past president of Mothers Against Gun Violence;
- James Knoll, director of the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University;
- Langston McKinney, retired Syracuse City Court judge; and
- Robert Spitzer, Distinguished Service Professor and chair of the political science department at SUNY-Cortland.
I will be anchoring much of our early evening newscasts from Hendricks on NBC 3 focusing on the gun conversations. We will talk live with Stephen Barton, Scott Armstrong, Helen Hudson and moderator Grant Reeher. We will also engage our audience via Twitter and Facebook.
What issues would you like us to discuss? Questions you would like us to ask of this unique panel.
Any questions or comment please forward them to mattsmemo@CNYcentral.com. I may even use some of your thoughts on NBC 3 News at 5:00, the 10:00 News on CW6 or on CNYcentral.com.
The opinions expressed in this blog are the sole responsibility of the author and are not reflective of the views or opinons of the station or Barrington Broadcasting
