Gershenson, Dwyer Host First Public Hearing on Gun Violence Feb. 26

The Oakland County Board's Public Service committee will host a public hearing Feb. 26 featuring panelists speaking on the topic of gun violence.

The event is the first in a three-part series of special public hearings spearheaded by County Commissioners Bill Dwyer (R-Farmington Hills) and Commissioner Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township). The leaders formed a bipartisan group to study the gun registration process, especially as it relates to mental health.

Dwyer, a former Farmington Hills Police Chief, said the first event panelists include Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe, Executive Director of the Chiefs of Police Bob Stevenson, former Police Chief of Livonia, and West Bloomfield Police Chief Mike Patton. According to a news release, they will discuss and answer questions related to loopholes in the gun background check system, look at what we can be done to prevent gun violence and offer recommendations to strengthen Universal Background Checks.

"Though many of the changes we'll be talking about will have to be implemented at a statewide or federal level, it's important to have these discussions locally," Patton said Tuesday. 

The panel discussion starts at 11:30 a.m., in Committee Room A at the Oakland County Government Center, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac.