The recent tragedy that unfolded, resulting in the loss of 14 lives at a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, marks the deadliest mass shooting since the Sandy Hook incident. Over the past week alone, we have witnessed six mass shootings, a term defined as incidents involving four or more victims. According to ShootingTracker.com, a site dedicated to tracking gun-related deaths in the United States, there have been 355 mass shootings in just 2015—an alarming statistic that exceeds the number of days in the year.
Let that sink in.
The situation continues to deteriorate, with each new report revealing more distressing facts. Just a few months ago, we found ourselves writing about 43 incidents involving toddlers and firearms. How much longer can this continue?
Although we all agree that this cycle of violence must end, the question remains: how do we achieve this? There are tangible measures we can implement to reduce gun violence, grounded in thorough research that could inform effective legislation.
For the past two decades, a ban on gun violence research has stifled progress, largely due to the influence of the NRA, which successfully lobbied for The Dickey Amendment. This stipulation prohibits the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from using federal funds to advocate for or promote gun control. Consequently, the very agency dedicated to safeguarding public health has been barred from investigating the impacts of gun violence. In a reflective statement, former Congressman Jay Dickey expressed regret over this amendment, stating, “I wish we had started the proper research and kept it going all this time.”
Calls to lift this research ban have emerged from both Congress and medical professionals across the nation. As Rep. Emily Carter remarked, “Gun violence is among the most challenging public health issues we face, but the misguided ban on research leaves us in the dark.” This stagnation has left us uninformed about the gravity of the gun violence crisis in our country, which is deeply concerning.
Dr. Rachel Thompson, a pediatrician with years of experience in urban healthcare, voiced her disappointment over the lack of progress, stating, “In my time as a physician, I’ve seen lives saved through federal research in other areas. It’s frustrating that we can’t apply the same rigor to gun violence.” This argument that guns don’t constitute a disease falls flat when we consider that agencies have long studied topics like vehicle safety and natural disasters.
In fact, just hours before news broke about the San Bernardino shooting, a gathering of healthcare professionals called for action against gun violence.
We can address gun violence—it’s simply a matter of will. The correlation between increased gun prevalence and higher death rates is clear, supported by year-after-year data. This year, gun sales have skyrocketed, with a staggering 185,345 background checks processed in a single day—Black Friday. The previous record was set shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting, when 953,613 checks were conducted in the week following that tragedy. It’s evident that these mass shootings have inadvertently fueled the gun industry, a reality the NRA likely acknowledges, even if they won’t openly admit it.
As the NRA’s spokesperson once famously stated, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” This approach has led to an increased push for more firearms in the hands of “good guys,” while we continue to sidestep meaningful laws that could better regulate gun sales and suppress research aimed at understanding this escalating issue.
It’s time for us to take a stand. Together, we can work towards reducing gun violence and creating a safer environment for our children. If you’re interested in finding ways to contribute to this cause, you can learn more at this link for helpful resources.
In summary, addressing gun violence is not only possible; it is necessary. By advocating for research and embracing informed legislative actions, we can make strides toward a safer society.
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