AXIOS by Marisa Fernandez 8/10/2019
A chronic lack of gun violence research and data inaccuracies have hindered change to gun laws in the U.S., multiple scientific reports show.
Why it matters: Scientists and members of Congress have been working to boost gun control research amid persistent mass shootings. Increased funding for research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could help social scientists, law enforcement and policymakers understand the causes of shootings, according to nonprofit news organization The Trace.
Driving the news: The U.S. has already faced 253 mass shootings in 2019. In the wake of the most recent attacks in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans have pressured Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring 2 House-passed gun control bills to the Senate floor for a vote.
The backdrop: Federal funding for gun violence research dried up more than 20 years ago.
Since 1997, the CDC has had to adhere to the Dickey Amendment, which states none of the federal funds made available to the CDC may be used to “advocate or promote gun control.†Former CDC leaders have stated the agency chose to avoid firearm research, rather than risk political retribution, The Trace reports.
More:
https://www.axios.com/cdc-gun-control-research-funding-3651d432-e57b-4d40-aea3-d84af8ed2b1e.html
