The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh (LWVGP) wants to talk about guns--not just ballot boxes.
The citizens' organization is holding its second Gun Safety in a Free Society event on Wednesday Feb. 26 at the Kingsley Center on Frankstown Ave.
Best known for its candidates' forums and election guides for voters, the League will address issues such as gun safety, teenage gun violence, and how to keep guns out of the wrong hands in Allegheny County.
LWVGP Vice President Nancy Naragon said the discussion will not be focused on gun control or the Second Amendment.
“There has to be something that people in this country can do to reduce the gun violence,” she said. “And this is a way to start. Let’s get together, let’s talk, let’s consider the different issues, and let’s come up with some solutions that we all like.”
The LWVGP held its first gun safety forum in October. The two discussions are part of a gun safety analysis being compiled by the organization. A report will be released March 31 highlighting potential solutions and resolutions to gun violence and safety issues.
Naragan said it’s the LWVGP’s duty to put on events like this.
“The league has always emphasized civic engagement,” she said. “That includes voting, but that includes an awful lot of other things too and if you’re going to vote, you should vote from an intelligent point of view.”
Naragan said the forum will begin with a pre-survey where participants share their views on gun safety. People will then be seated with people of opposite view and opinions to help stimulate discussion.
“What we really want is for people to talk to each other and begin to listen to each side and try and find some kind of common ground.”
The forum is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.
