Guns in America Local Perspectives: Finding the Middle Ground in Firearms Regulations

City Club of Central Oregon’s March 21 forum will be an open conversation focused on the regulative and constitutional aspects of this issue.

One can hardly watch TV, read the paper or listen to the radio these days without catching the ongoing debate over gun violence in today’s society. It is a complex problem with a myriad of components including mental health, violence in our entertainment and so much more.

City Club of Central Oregon’s March forum will be an open conversation focused on the regulative and constitutional aspects of this issue. More than half of Oregonians own a gun and any legislative change will require compromise. Some of the discussion points include:

· How safe are our neighborhoods and schools?
· Are we polarized or paralyzed?
· What ARE your 2nd amendment rights?

MODERATOR: Bill Buchanan

PANELISTS:

James C. (Jim) Foster is Professor of Political Science at OSU-Cascades.

Before coming to Bend, Jim was Chair of the Department of Political Science for twelve years (1990-2002) on the Corvallis campus. He regularly teaches courses on constitutional law, administrative law, gender and law, and American political thought. He has published articles on legal education, book chapters on affirmative action and equality debates, as well as on the Oregon Judicial Branch. Professor Foster is co-editor of the book Governing Through Courts and co-author of the two-volume Constitutional Law: Cases in Context. He has taught twice in London and in St. Petersburg, Russia. Jim was Book Review Editor of Legal Studies Forum for ten years, and has served as President of the Pacific Coast Association of Pre-law Studies and the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association. He is also the author of “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS”, which addresses the boundaries of free speech prompted by the unfurling of a 14-foot banner by students during the Olympic torch.

Robert A. (Bob) Nosler is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nosler Inc., a third generation shooting sports company located here in Central Oregon with an international reputation for high quality bullets, rifles and ammunition. With over 130 employees, Nosler is one of the region’s largest private employers here in Central Oregon.

Bob is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He is also a former member of the NRA Foundation Board of Trustees and was elected to serve on the NRA’s National Nominating Committee. Bob is a U.S. Navy veteran, and served as a Submarine Sonar Technician aboard nuclear submarines from 1966 – 1970. As a sportsman and an avid hunter, he has hunted big game in locales that range from New Zealand to Africa and from Sweden to within a few hundred miles of the North Pole.

Other “special guests” will help get the conversation started, including members of Central Oregon‘s law enforcement community, hunting enthusiast and concerned citizen, including:

Gary Lewis, Host of Gary Lewis’ Adventure Journal TV Show
Les Stiles, former Deschutes County Sheriff
Chris Carney, Bend Police Department

When? March 21, 11:30am-1:00pm, at St. Charles: To register please visit www.cityclubco.com or call 541-633-7163. Early Registration (closes Tuesday, March 19) is only $20 for members and first-time attendees, $35 for non-members. Walk-ins are welcomed the day of the forum on a space-available basis for $35. Buffet lunch is included.

About City Club of Central Oregon

City Club is a monthly forum, hosting speakers who inspire respectful, productive dialogue and offer diverse perspectives to encourage positive change in Central Oregon.

Joey Drucker, Executive Director

541-633-7163

info@CityClubCO.com