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Issues

Not Enough Funding for Research

    Not Enough Funding for Research

      What is the problem?

      Though nearly 38,000 people are killed with guns in the U.S. every year, Congress has restricted research on the causes and impacts of gun violence. Research on gun violence could lead to the development of life-saving scientific and policy solutions.

      Since the passing of a Congressional budget restriction known as the Dicky Amendment in 1996, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have severely underfunded gun violence research. In 2019, for the first time in decades, Congress passed a funding bill that appropriated $25 million for gun violence research. Additional funding is still needed to investigate its causes and develop solutions.

      Why is it an issue?

      America must invest in gun violence research.

      Though gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens and the 13th leading cause of death among all ages, research funding for gun violence prevention ranks 33rd among other leading causes of death.

      Government investments in research on motor vehicle accidents has led to innovations like criminalizing unsafe driving, requiring seat belts, and equipping highways with guardrails. These measures have helped reduce the fatality of motor vehicle accidents by 78% from 1968 to 2018. Such sustained government investment is long overdue for gun violence.

      By the numbers

      What are the solutions?

      Not Enough Funding for Research

      All Resources

      Did you know?

      58 percent of American adults report that they or someone they care for has experienced gun violence in their lifetime.

      SurveyUSA. “Market Research Study”. SurveyUSA. (2018). https://bit.ly/2ExxpyZ.