In an effort to continue the national debate surrounding gun control, the University of Wisconsin Political Science Student Association hosted a panel Sunday evening to discuss the issue with students from a variety of political affiliations.
The panel consisted of Abby Streu from Young Americans for Freedom, Bailey LaSage from College Republicans, David Pelikan from College Democrats, Andrew Stein from Young Americans for Liberty and Micah Dombroe from International Socialist Organization. The previously planned Our Wisconsin Revolution speaker was unable to attend the panel, so Dombroe and Pelikan were allowed more responses for a more balanced debate.
The panelists discussed gun control broadly, but mainly focused on possible solutions for gun violence in the United States.
For the most part, Streu, LaSage and Stein advocated for less gun control and regulation, while Stein and Pelikan advocated for more regulation.
Pelikan said while he does respect the wishes of those who support their Second Amendment right, he also wants “common sense” gun reform, such as background checks, to reduce rates of gun violence.
As mass shootings continue, Wisconsin, national gun control debates remain polarizedMass shootings have become a norm in America. At a Las Vegas music festival in October 2017, a gunman killed Read…[1]
The debate of mental health has been at the forefront of the gun control debate around the country. On this issue, the panel held a variety of views.
Streu expressed support for mental health checks, but was concerned about the possible legislative limitations that could be placed on those with mental illness that could possibly strip them of their rights. LaSage echoed similar views, bringing up the concern of criminalizing those with mental illness.
“Background checks are great conceptually, we don’t want people with
