Forum discusses policies for reducing gun violence

Tackling the problem of gun violence will require a multifaceted approach including legislation, research, community-level interventions and law enforcement, according to experts who spoke at Monday's forum titled "Reducing Gun Violence: Policies that Work."

Members of the campus community came together for the forum in Jack Adams Hall, where a panel of experts discussed policies that can make a difference not only in mass shootings, but in the gun violence that occurs every day in communities nationwide.

"I hope that through today's event we'll reflect on how we might all contribute to safer communities in our city and all over the world," said University President Les Wong in his opening remarks.

Juliet Leftwich, legal director at the San Francisco-based Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, gave an overview of federal and state gun control laws, and Mark Chekal-Bain, district director for state Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, discussed what the state legislature is doing to prevent gun violence.

The audience then heard from two panelists who are both 32-year veterans of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Jim Dudley, retired deputy chief of the Special Operations Bureau, discussed policies that could make a difference at the local level and stressed the need for epidemiological studies tracking the origin and movement of guns. Patrol Commander John Murphy outlined the SFPD's recent approach of tackling gun crime by focusing concerted enforcement efforts in areas of the city where violent crime is greatest.

The event was sponsored by the University's Institute for Civic and Community Engagement and the Criminal Justice Studies Program.

--Elaine Bible