September 13, 2006
For Immediate Release
For more info:
David R. Keller
(801) 863-6363
Keynote Speaker to Address Handgun Litigation during UVSC’s
Ethic’s Awareness Week
In conjunction with UVSC’s annual Ethic’s Awareness Week September 18-22, attorney Russell C. Fericks from Salt Lake based firm Richards, Brandt, Miller & Nelson, will speak on “Facing the Problem of Handgun Violence in America” September 18 at 11 a.m. in room 206a of the Sorensen Student Center.
Ferick’s speech will address the question, “Should handgun manufacturers be held financially liable for injuries suffered by innocent victims of handgun violence?” The subject is based on the real-life case of Utah native Tonya Copier who was shot in the back by her ex-husband, and later died due to injuries. Ferick, who represented Copier in court, took on gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson as the principal defendant. In his speech, Fericks will recount Copier’s experience and the action he took against handgun litigations.
“The issue at hand is not whether Ms. Copier and her attorney were right, but rather to hold up the tragedy for careful examination of ethics in action as distinguished from simply applying a slate of rote yes/no/, good/bad answers to life’s challenges,” said David R. Keller, director of UVSC’s Center for the Study of Ethics. “Mr. Fericks is prepared to hold his ground on the facts, the law and the public policies, and he is looking forward to constructive dialog with the audience.”
Ferick’s presentation will be the keynote address of Ethic’s Awareness Week on campus, which also includes a symposium and panel discussions.
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College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Kim Chapman
(801) 863-7011
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