Thompson Hosts Gun Violence Prevention Forum in Napa

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, will host a gun violence prevention public forum in Napa Tuesday evening.

Thompson, D-St. Helena, said the event is to bring together experts, stakeholders and community members for a comprehensive discussion on the steps that must be taken to reduce and prevent gun violence.

The forum will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Napa City Hall council chambers, according to an announcement from the congressman's office.

Thompson is a hunter, gun owner, former chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and and a veteran who carried a military-style assault weapon during a tour in Vietnam. He represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Napa County.

The meeting is open to law enforcement officials, mental health experts, school officials, elected officials and community members.

A Patch story on gun violence and gun ownership posted after the school shootings in Connecticut last month continues to draw a strong response from the entire Bay Area community.

Stay Patched in! Follow Napa Valley Patch on Twitter | Like Napa Valley Patch on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views.