Sen. Katherine Clark Holds Forum on Gun Violence

Numerous experts from throughout the commonwealth weighed in on gun control issues during a forum held in Malden by State Sen. Katherine Clark Wednesday night. 

The panel mostly spoke of the benefits of increased gun control, and the challenges faced by policymakers at the state and federal level.

The panel also accepted questions from the audience during a question-and-answer session. 

"This is a topic brought to the forefront (here) by continued acts of violence, both on the news and right here in our community," Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said. 

Panelists included Christenson, State Rep. David Linsky, Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis, Harvard professor David Hemenway, "Stop Handgun Violence" founder John Rosenthal, as well as Dawn Tringas and Molly Malloy from "Moms Demand Actrion for Gun Sense in America".

Rosenthal, known for his long-standing pro-gun control billboard on the Mass Pike near Fenway Park, said he was a gun owner himself, and believed Massachusetts had "reasonable firearm laws." 

He echoed a repeated sentiment on the board: that Massachusetts's approach - which sports  of the lowest gun death rates in the nation - could serve as a model for federal policy. 

"All consumer products are regulated," he told the audience. "Toy guns are regulated, teddy bears are regulated...(but not) real firearms." 

Hemingway pointed to what he described as "very strong evidence" that states with stronger gun laws and less guns have less gun violence. 

Molis acknowledged that public policy coupled with proactive police work could dramatically reduce homicide rates - he pointed to New York City, which saw 400 gun deaths in 2012, it's lowest in 50 years. In 1990, there were 2,200.

"But there's also the reality of violent crime," he said. "The shootings we've experienced (in Malden) ...These crimes have happened in public places, streets, parks...My analysis is that the people committing these crimes are criminals themselves."

He added that none of the city's high-profile shootings over the past year were committed by lawful gun owners. 

"My question is: are we deterring these people enough?" he said.