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REGULAR MEETING
<br />MARCH 27, 2017
<br />thanked Stephen and Joellen Miller as well as the Council for their courage in considering this
<br />resolution. He stated, It's a resolution that really encourages us to continue talking and invites us
<br />to consider how we might respond to the very real health risk that gun violence presents to each
<br />of us in our communities. He stated that he Episcopal church meets every three (3) years at their
<br />general convention, and at their most recent meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, they passed
<br />resolution C -005. Bishop Douglas read the resolution, which read, "The 78th General Convention
<br />urged all legislators at federal, state, and local levels to help decrease gun violence by
<br />implementing laws that: one (1), require permits to carry concealed weapons and criminal
<br />background checks for every gun purchase, including those made at gun shows." Bishop
<br />Douglas read the fourth (4th) part of the resolution, which read, "And increase penalties for those
<br />who engage in `straw purchases' of firearms for ineligible persons." He concluded by stating, I
<br />urge you to consider this resolution.
<br />Meredith Mackewicz, 376 Regina North Hall, Notre Dame, IN, stated that she is present on
<br />behalf of the Saint Mary's College Democrats who support this resolution. Ms. Mackewicz
<br />stated, I echo everything that those preceding me have said and I believe that as a Saint Mary's
<br />woman, I am called to address the statistics about the women that have been harmed or killed by
<br />gun violence, most often perpetrated by a domestic partner or stalker. As a victim of domestic
<br />violence and stalking, I'm strongly in favor of resolutions like this one, because I do not want
<br />anyone else to have to live in fear of their lives being taken by someone who should not be
<br />handling a weapon. I also believe, for those who are opposed, that it is important to reiterate that
<br />this resolution is to increase security and safety, not to take firearms away from those who are
<br />using them correctly according to our State's laws.
<br />Ann Price, 1049 Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN, stated that her house is in the Riverside Drive
<br />Local Historic District, an area that has always been a destination in the City for those who want
<br />to walk or look at the beautiful houses there. Ms. Price noted that there have been three (3) fatal
<br />shootings recently in the neighborhood, and she stated that she supports this bill because she
<br />wants people —not just in her neighborhood to be able to feel safe.
<br />Liam Dalton, 111 Sorin Hall, Notre Dame, IN, stated that he is one of the co- founders of a new
<br />gun violence prevention club at Notre Dame called the Students Against Gun Violence Club. Mr.
<br />Dalton stated that the club strongly supports universal background checks. He stated that this
<br />resolution was not the end goal but an important first step. He stated, Our group will continue to
<br />work with communities in Indiana to push for background checks legislation and make clear to
<br />gun owners and gun rights proponents alike that background checks actually defend rights and
<br />do not infringe on them. Every Hoosier should have the right to walk down the street free of fear.
<br />Every domestic violence survivor should have the right to feel peace of mind that their abuser
<br />will not return one day with a weapon. Every student has the right to go to school and feel safe.
<br />Every single resident of this State has the right to life. That is why we are proud to present a
<br />petition complete with one - hundred and sixty -eight (16 8) signatures of support for this
<br />resolution. One - hundred and twenty -five (125) students signed the petition along with thirty -five
<br />(35) faculty and staff. Mr. Dalton stated that the right strategies to achieve peace from gun
<br />violence will be found. He stated, We are going to be able to reach across the aisle because we
<br />know that when there are safer gun laws, business is better, the economy is better, law
<br />enforcement officials are safer. Those are two (2) constituencies that are very important to
<br />Republicans and those are two (2) constituencies that are very important to Democrats. The
<br />people who this affects are both Republicans and Democrats.
<br />Ronaldo Hernandez, 702 East South Street, South Bend, IN, stated that he was pleased to hear
<br />the words of Ms. Mackewicz and Mr. Dalton, adding that they—or others like them —will be the
<br />ones to take the reins of power. Mr. Hernandez stated, We don't need to wait until they assume
<br />the reins of power. We who hold the reins of power now need to take the steps to make our
<br />communities safer by making it harder for people who should not have guns to have guns. We
<br />don't need to wait, because if not now, when? If not us, who? If not here, where? It has to start
<br />somewhere, and this is the place to start. Please vote for this resolution.
<br />Amina Stark, 50855 Cherry Road, Granger, IN, stated that she speaks on behalf of the Islamic
<br />Society of Michiana as well as her family. Ms. Stark recounted events surrounding gun violence
<br />that she had witnessed in her old neighborhood. She stated, I had to save my family. A lot of
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