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Four generations ask Walden for gun control Ashland actor and filmmaker asks Walden's office to regulate firearms for his daughters Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 23, 2016 at 5:34 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 23, 2016 at 5:34 PM » Social News An Ashland filmmaker and four generations of his family stormed local Congressman Greg Walden's Medford office Thursday afternoon seeking changes to gun laws. In solidarity with Democrats in the House of Representatives who staged a sit-in Wednesday over gun control, Alex Sol, his wife, mother, grandmother and two daughters asked staff at Walden's office to relay their concerns about gun violence. "We are here in support of (Georgia Rep.) John Lewis," Sol said. To a conference room in Walden's Medford office, Sol brought 11-by-17-inch printed photographs of Orlando Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza and photos of an assortment of assault weapons. He sought to illustrate an argument about the availability of assault weapons at gun shows to Walden aide Troy Ferguson. "How is the policy of a gun-show loophole, that allows these two people (Lanza and Mateen) to access this kind of weapon, how does this make it less likely that she will be killed?" Sol asked, pointing to his 5-year-old daughter Sky. "That's the question I want answered, and nobody has answered this question for me." "This child deserves regulations that preserve her sanctity of life." Sol, an actor who has appeared in films such as "American History X," "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" and TV shows including "House, M.D.," brought his mother, Harriet Sol, grandmother, Libby Barber, and 90-year-old grandmother Libby Barber to the demonstration, along with daughters Sky, 5, and Symphony, 17 months. Harriet Sol argued for an assault-weapons ban. "These guns are not needed by anyone unless they're in the military," she said. "These guns cannot be used for safety in your home, they can't be used for hunting, they can only be used to kill lots of people at a time." "I don't understand, we had a ban in place, and we let it go." Sol's wife, Sarah Sol, said she grew up in Connecticut, and the Sandy Hook shooting "really hit home" for her. She and Alex had been following the problem of gun violence much earlier, however. "We've been following the lack of gun regulation since Columbine really," Sarah Sol said. "This is an issue that's out of control." Ferguson said Walden wants to hear from his constituents, if he doesn't agree with them. Amid the distractions caused by a fussy Symphony and bored Sky, Ferguson took notes about Sol's concerns, which he will relay to the congressman. To confirm he heard Sol and his family, Walden will respond to their concerns in writing, he said. "We make sure we get replies out as quickly as possible," Ferguson said. When asked whether public comments on hot-button topics such as gun control make an impact on Walden's decision-making, Ferguson said, "Absolutely." Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 23, 2016 at 5:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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