Let Science Help Prevent Gun Violence
It’s time to bring back scientific research into gun violence prevention. Demand Congress lift the ban so we can make informed decisions to save lives.
Whether through filibusters or sit-ins, Congress is talking about gun violence. But will they lift the 20-year ban on gun violence research?
From the mass shootings in Orlando, San Bernardino, and Charleston, to the sadly routine, daily gun-related deaths, we are facing a public health emergency. More than 33,000 people die from guns annually—and 2016 is on track to be the first year with more deaths due to guns than automotive accidents. When this country has faced such epidemics, we usually deploy the power of science to best understand the problem and explore practical solutions (such as the research on vehicle deaths that led to seatbelts.)
But not this time. Health researchers aren’t even allowed to touch the topic because special interest groups such as the National Rifle Association hijacked the budget process to ban federally-funded gun violence research.
Scientific research isn’t an issue of gun control—it’s about saving lives through more informed policy decisions.
Sincerely,
Danielle Fox
Senior Outreach Coordinator
Center for Science and Democracy
Union of Concerned Scientists
Be a Seed for Change 
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