In an enthusiastic but generally congenial debate, local author Dr. William Forstchen faced off against local talk show host Ned Ryan Doyle on the subject of gun control Thursday night. Held in the Vanderbilt room at Asheville’s Double-Tree Inn, the debate was moderated by former WLOS reporter Charu Kumarhia, who frequently had to ask the sold-out crowd to refrain from both cheering and jeering.
Organized by WGZM’s Take a Stand talk show, the broadly-themed dialogue covered topics ranging from the arming of teachers to mental health funding. According to Agnes Cheek, one of the show’s co-hosts, more than seventy people attended. Several law enforcement officers, including Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan, were present to ensure order, according to co-host Matt Mittan.
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