If you go ...
What: Screening of "Under the Gun," a documentary film that explores the epidemic of gun violence
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Monroe Public Library
MONROE - On Feb. 15, 24-year-old Caroline Nosal left her job at the Metro Market grocery store in Madison to head home.
But she never made it.
Instead, a former co-worker, 26-year-old Madison native Christopher O'Kroley, ended her life in the parking lot. He shot Nosal twice, once point-blank in the head. O'Kroley believed Nosal, who had rebuffed romantic advances from him, was the reason he had been fired from the store just a day earlier, according to published reports.
Dr. James Nosal, Caroline's father, has been speaking out against gun violence since the day he lost his daughter. O'Kroley had purchased the gun legally the same day he was fired but had told police he needed a day to practice because he had never fired a gun before. Nosal has said he believes if the law requiring a 48-hour waiting period before purchasing a handgun had not been repealed on June 24 of last year through a bill signed by Gov. Scott Walker, his daughter would still be alive.
On Thursday, the film "Under the Gun" will be aired by the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort at 6:30 p.m. at the Monroe Public Library. It was made, in part, by television journalist Katie Couric and outlines the debate over gun violence the United States has been having in recent years and increased public shootings, such as the one the Nosals endured. Clips of lawmakers advocating and admonishing the availability of weapons play while Couric asks questions of gun owners and parents who lost their children in both the Sandy Hook and the Aurora, Colorado mass shootings of 2012.
WAVE is a statewide non-profit organization with a mission statement of dedication "to preventing gun violence, injuries and deaths through education and advocacy."
Monroe native Derek Hoesly became involved with the group after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut in which 20-year-old Adam Lanza used family-owned firearms to fatally shoot 20 children between 6 and 7 years old and six school staff members.
"I'm beyond frustrated," Hoesly said. "I'm not against guns. Common sense can prevail on this issue."
The idea to show the film in his hometown grew on Hoesly after he watched "Under the Gun" during a gathering of the organization. For about two months, he used volunteer time to contact speakers and arrange the screening.
One of the people he contacted, and who accepted the invitation to speak before the film begins on Thursday, is 48th State Assembly District Rep. Melissa Sargent. Sargent, Madison, has spoken out against gun violence. In a press release on June 2, she announced that "Our community has suffered too many tragedies at the hands of dangerous people who use guns to commit terrible acts of violence."
Hoesly has hopes that the film will highlight what has been "a hot topic" and talking will ensure a direction toward more restriction and fewer gun-related deaths.
"I hope it helps continue the dialogue," Hoesly said.
Following the movie, Dr. Nosal will speak to the audience and relay his own personal story, including why despite being an avid hunter from a young age, he encourages a waiting period for anyone looking to purchase a gun.
The event is open to the public. Doors open at 6:15 p.m..
But she never made it.
Instead, a former co-worker, 26-year-old Madison native Christopher O'Kroley, ended her life in the parking lot. He shot Nosal twice, once point-blank in the head. O'Kroley believed Nosal, who had rebuffed romantic advances from him, was the reason he had been fired from the store just a day earlier, according to published reports.
Dr. James Nosal, Caroline's father, has been speaking out against gun violence since the day he lost his daughter. O'Kroley had purchased the gun legally the same day he was fired but had told police he needed a day to practice because he had never fired a gun before. Nosal has said he believes if the law requiring a 48-hour waiting period before purchasing a handgun had not been repealed on June 24 of last year through a bill signed by Gov. Scott Walker, his daughter would still be alive.
On Thursday, the film "Under the Gun" will be aired by the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort at 6:30 p.m. at the Monroe Public Library. It was made, in part, by television journalist Katie Couric and outlines the debate over gun violence the United States has been having in recent years and increased public shootings, such as the one the Nosals endured. Clips of lawmakers advocating and admonishing the availability of weapons play while Couric asks questions of gun owners and parents who lost their children in both the Sandy Hook and the Aurora, Colorado mass shootings of 2012.
WAVE is a statewide non-profit organization with a mission statement of dedication "to preventing gun violence, injuries and deaths through education and advocacy."
Monroe native Derek Hoesly became involved with the group after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut in which 20-year-old Adam Lanza used family-owned firearms to fatally shoot 20 children between 6 and 7 years old and six school staff members.
"I'm beyond frustrated," Hoesly said. "I'm not against guns. Common sense can prevail on this issue."
The idea to show the film in his hometown grew on Hoesly after he watched "Under the Gun" during a gathering of the organization. For about two months, he used volunteer time to contact speakers and arrange the screening.
One of the people he contacted, and who accepted the invitation to speak before the film begins on Thursday, is 48th State Assembly District Rep. Melissa Sargent. Sargent, Madison, has spoken out against gun violence. In a press release on June 2, she announced that "Our community has suffered too many tragedies at the hands of dangerous people who use guns to commit terrible acts of violence."
Hoesly has hopes that the film will highlight what has been "a hot topic" and talking will ensure a direction toward more restriction and fewer gun-related deaths.
"I hope it helps continue the dialogue," Hoesly said.
Following the movie, Dr. Nosal will speak to the audience and relay his own personal story, including why despite being an avid hunter from a young age, he encourages a waiting period for anyone looking to purchase a gun.
The event is open to the public. Doors open at 6:15 p.m..