A panel of legal experts, law enforcement, social justice educators and activists will discuss the Second Amendment. Topics will center around the politics and policies of gun rights and gun control.

Panel participants

Dr. Marian Williams is a professor of criminal justice at Appalachian. She serves as one of the pre-law advisors and assistant chair in the Department of Government and Justice Studies. Her areas of expertise and interests include the court system, constitutional law and civil rights and liberties. Dr. Williams has conducted research on a number of law and court-related topics, such as the effectiveness of public defenders, the use of bail, race and gender disparities in capital punishment, and civil asset forfeiture.

Dr. Heather L. Ondercin is a professor of American politics at Appalachian. Dr. Ondercin holds a joint Ph.D. and M.A. in political science and women’s and gender studies. Her primary field of research and teaching is American political behavior, with specific interest in dynamic political behavior, political psychology, and gender and politics.

Mr. Len Hagaman has served as the Watauga County Sheriff since 2006. He previously served the Town of Boone as the town manager and Watauga Commissioner. Sheriff Hagaman is a former certified Law Enforcement Instructor at Wilkes Community College, Mayland Community College and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. He is also a certified Vulnerability/Terrorism Assessor for the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Chris Laws is the NC State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Northwestern District. He is a certified Law Enforcement Instructor at Wilkes Community College and primarily teaches courses about criminal investigations and interview and interrogation. Laws was also a former police officer for the High Point Police Department.

App State Examines and Celebrates the United States Constitution

Sept. 17-19, 2019

Faculty, staff and students at Appalachian State University take the opportunity each year during the week of Sept. 17 to engage our campus community in discussions about the U.S. Constitution, its history and its meaning in today’s world. This year’s discussions will focus on the Second Amendment. Join us for a series of conversations, panel discussions, speeches and forums.

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About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.