Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality will present a lecture by Fred Guttenberg on “Myths that Fuel Gun Violence” at Herring Hall Nov. 8.
In collaboration with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center’s Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival , this Gray/Wawro Lecture in Gender, Health and Well-being will focus on the topic of gun violence as Guttenberg explores the Bruen decision (2022) and upcoming United States versus Rahimi case concerning gun rights and domestic violence.
Guttenberg is an activist, author and father. He began his public life after the murder of his 14-year-old daughter in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting Feb. 14, 2018. In his public lectures, he urges audiences to work together to stop gun violence in America.
“Guttenberg is a perfect fit for this, although he is unlike every other speaker that we’ve had in the Gray/Wawro series,” said Lora Wildenthal, the John Antony Weir Professor of History and director of the CSWGS. “He took that experience and made himself an expert on gun policy, and he’s a published author. This invitation to him is coming in the wake of his most recent book.”
Guttenberg is the co-author of “American Carnage: Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence,” which will be available for purchase during the reception and after the lecture. Guttenberg will also sign books at those times.
“I hope that people come to this lecture and realize that gun violence is a health epidemic in the United States, and I hope they come away from the talk informed and empowered to take steps to counteract the level of gun violence that we’re experiencing today,” Wildenthal said. “Gun violence affects vulnerable populations. Women are a vulnerable population with respect to gun violence, and LGBTQ people are a vulnerable population.”
The CSWGS is one of the best places situated to have these discussions, Wildenthal said.
“Our opportunity is to elevate voices that we think are really important in public debate,” she said. “We’re not politicians. We’re not corporations. We’re not lobbyists. We are for bringing forward voices in a realm that is outside the money affecting politics.”
To learn more or register for the event, click here.