The recent mass shooting, which marked the deadliest incident since the Sandy Hook tragedy, claimed the lives of 14 individuals at a center for those with developmental disabilities. In just the past week alone, there have been six mass shootings, defined as incidents involving four or more victims. According to ShootingTracker.com, there have been 355 mass shootings in the United States in 2015—an alarming number that surpasses the total days of the year.
Take a moment to absorb that.
The situation is escalating, with each new statistic more shocking than the last. A few months ago, we reported that there had been 43 shootings involving toddlers in 2015. How long can this continue?
There is a consensus that we must put an end to this crisis, but how can we achieve that? There are tangible steps we can take to reduce gun violence, grounded in research that can lead to effective legislation.
For the past two decades, a ban on gun violence research has stifled progress, largely thanks to lobbying by the NRA. This led to the enactment of The Dickey Amendment, which prevents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from utilizing funds for research that could advocate for gun control. This means that the CDC, whose mission is to safeguard public health and safety, is unable to investigate the ramifications of gun violence. After the tragic shooting on a campus in Oregon, the lawmaker for whom the amendment is named, Richard Dickey, expressed regret, stating, “I wish we had started the proper research and kept it going all this time.”
Recently, members of Congress joined healthcare professionals in calling for an end to this research ban. Representative Sarah Mitchell, vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, stated, “Gun violence presents one of the most pressing public health challenges we face, but due to this misguided ban, our understanding is severely limited.” The ban has effectively muffled researchers and left policymakers without the data they need to advocate for meaningful legislation. Can you believe that we still lack comprehensive studies on the causes and prevention of gun violence after all these years?
Dr. Laura Simmons, a pediatrician with years of experience in underserved communities, shared her frustrations: “It’s disheartening that we’ve made so little progress in tackling gun violence. Throughout my career, federal research has saved lives from various health threats, yet the CDC is prohibited from conducting similar studies on gun violence.”
The argument that “a gun is not a disease” holds little weight against an organization that has been studying various non-disease-related topics, including motor vehicle accidents and natural disasters, for years. Interestingly, the Doctors for America event concluded just hours before news broke of the San Bernardino shooting.
We can take action against gun violence—we simply need to begin. The correlation between gun ownership and increased fatalities is undeniable, supported by statistics year after year. This year, gun sales have surged dramatically. On Black Friday alone, the FBI processed a record 185,345 background checks, averaging roughly two every second. Notably, the previous record was set shortly after the Sandy Hook massacre, when nearly a million background checks were conducted within a week. It’s not a stretch to say that such tragedies bolster the gun industry. While the NRA might not admit it, they certainly recognize the trend. Following Sandy Hook, NRA President Wayne Thompson proclaimed, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”
So, shall we continue to advocate for more firearms in the hands of “good people,” avoid implementing laws that could help regulate gun sales, and restrict research that could illuminate the severity of this issue? Clearly, that strategy isn’t working.
Together, we can take a stand against gun violence and work towards a safer environment for our children. Learn more about impactful changes we can make at our resource on privacy policies and explore effective methods of insemination at Make A Mom. For further information on pregnancy and health, visit Healthline.
Summary
The escalating gun violence crisis in the U.S. demands urgent action. With a ban on gun violence research hindering progress, it’s crucial to advocate for informed legislation grounded in data. By understanding the facts and working together, we can strive for a safer future for our children.