Bessie Jones Day Symposium:
Modern Issues Involving the Law of Self-Defense
November 5, 2005
Topic:
- A group of eminent scholars examined the modern law of self-defense in a symposium sponsored by George Mason University School of Law in Arlington.
The symposium was entitled “Bessie Jones Day Symposium – Modern Issues Involving the Law of Self-Defense” and took place in classroom 221 of Hazel Hall (the law school building). Presentation of papers began at 8:45 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The program featured presenters who are recognized scholars from the United States and Great Britain.
Symposium Program
| 8:45 a.m. | Is There A Federal Constitutional Right of Self-Defense? Presenter: Professor Nicholas J. Johnson Fordham University School of Law |
| 10:15 a.m. | English vs. American Law and Attitudes Toward Self-Defense Presenter: Professor Peter Squires University of Brighton, England |
| 11:15 a.m. | From a Philosopher’s Perspective, Does the Human Right of Self-Defense Imply a Reason to Possess Arms? Presenter: Professor Lance Stell Davidson College and Carolinas Medical Center |
| 1:30 p.m. | Is There an International Law Human Right to Self-Defense or is the Right to Self-Defense a Mere Privilege Which Any State is Free to Dispense With? (Debate Papers)
Presenters: Don B. Kates, JD and Professor John P. Cerone |
| 2:15 p.m. | Status of Controversial Issues in the American Law of Self-Defense Presenter: Professor Renée Lerner George Washington University Law School |
| 3:15 p.m. | The Doctrines: a)That Police Have No Duty to Protect Individuals; but b)That Businesses or Landlords Sometimes Do Have Such a Duty – Can They Be Reconciled? Presenter: Professor Robert Weisberg Stanford Law School |
| 4:00 p.m. | Gender Self-Defense Issues Including Genocide and International Violence Situations Presenter: Professor Mary Stange Skidmore College |
Additional participants include Dr. Abigail Kohn, author; Professor William Van Alstyne, College of William & Mary Marshall Wythe School of Law; Dean and Professor of Law Daniel P. Polsby, George Mason University School of Law; Professor Paul Robinson, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Professor Robert F. Turner, University of Virginia School of Law; Professor James B. Jacobs, New York University School of Law; Professor Timothy D. Lytton, Albany Law School; Professor Julie Mair, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
