ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Due to recent mass shootings, gun-related violence and second amendment rights are generating more and more conversation these days. The University of Rochester is sharing some current gun violence research to better define the problems to help find solutions.

Examining what guns mean to American culture — and how guns matter or are used — is not easy. UR is hosting a two-day research symposium to talk about the social life of guns.

Professors from Boston University, Duke, RIT, Harvard and others are at UR to share gun violence data to try to balance risks and rights and effective policies. They say it's not just about mass shootings, but domestic violence, accidental shootings and gun suicides.

One study shows that the higher the number of firearm laws in a state, the lower the firearm fatality rates are in that state. A lot of the data shows that risk factors for gun violence are non-specific.

Jeff Swanson, a Professor in psychiatry and behavioral science at Duke, says suicide makes up two-thirds of gun violence. He says categorical gun restrictions are too broad and too narrow.

"People sometimes say well what is the one thing you can do stop gun violence," Swanson said. "I say it is not a one thing problem. Whether it is the point of sale issue or the social determinates of violence or access to mental health care, thinking about the gun culture we have and how it is embedded in our culture. What do we do about all of these things together?"

UR officials hope this dialogue will encourage more gun violence research. This symposium continues Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event is free and open the public.