Learning how to fully listen to others and respectively debate ideas is crucial to growth and learning. On April 22nd, Braver Angels and The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University, with support from the Barnes Family Foundation, cohosted a debate:
Gun free zones make people safer.
Over 70 students and community members participated in the discussion. The evening was full of thoughtful speakers for and against the motion. Braver Angel fellows Diana Esters (’25) and Kevin Lavery (’25) facilitated the debate by serving as whips to encourage audience members to present their thoughts and ideas to the audience by speaking from the podium. Numerous speakers provided insights to why they were for or against the idea of gun free zones.
The successful event would not have been possible without Kayla Johnston, Matt Kircher, Braver Angel fellows Diana Esters and Kevin Lavery, Melanie Lewis, Whitney Mcall, Brynne Elizabeth Murphy, and Teresa Starrs.