First hour: How would gun laws consistent with Second Amendment rights impact gun violence?
Second hour: Engaging the Rochester community through art
Throughout the last 40 years, gun possession in America has gradually declined, yet research shows gun sales have recently increased. Dr. Robert Spitzer is a professor of political science at SUNY Cortland and a national expert on gun laws. He says this increase can be tied to politics: some Americans are buying guns to make a statement because they are afraid more regulations will be imposed. How would regulations consistent with Second Amendment rights impact gun violence in America? Dr. Spitzer will be in Rochester on Thursday to lead a public discussion about that question, but first he joins us on Connections. Our panel discusses both sides of the issue. Our guests:
- Dr. Robert Spitzer, distinguished service professor of political science at SUNY Cortland
- Neil Jaschik, Rochester Coalition for Reasonable Gun Laws
- Dave Jenkins, founder and primary instructor at Rochester Personal Defense LLC
- Chris Nakis, gun owner
In our second hour, artists throughout the Rochester area are engaging the community through their work. We'll learn about two different initiatives that share the same goal: to bring the community together by making art more accessible. First up, the Rochester Contemporary Art Center's 6x6 event exhibits thousands of pieces made and donated by celebrities and international and local artists. Then, we'll hear from members of Roc Paint Division, which gives Rochester's youth an opportunity to create murals for the city's r-centers alongside local artists. Our guests:
- Bleu Cease, executive director and curator of the Rochester Contemporary Art Center
- Jack Garner, guest emcee and longtime contributor and participant in 6x6
- Priyanka Sondhi, architect at HBT Architects and 6x6 participant
- Sarah C. Rutherford, artist and project coordinator for Roc Paint Division
- Justin Suarez, artist and project assistant for Roc Paint Division
- Maribel Hernandez, artist and youth worker for Roc Paint Division
- Kendra Hayle, northwest area coordinator for Rochester's Department of Recreation and Youth Services
