For more than 20 years, research efforts regarding gun violence, the associated causes, and impacts have not been funded through the US government. Federal support for gun violence research that would be conducted directly or through grants through the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes for Health (NIH) has not been appropriated due to the interpretation of what is commonly referred to as the Dickey Amendment. The Dickey Amendment states, "...none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control…" Advocacy and promotion is not the same as research which informs the consideration and development of policy agendas. This interpretation has effectively eliminated public funding in the public health sector that would support research regarding gun violence. Congresswoman DeLauro held a press conference at the New Haven Police Department where the importance of funding to support research on gun violence was contrasted with funding for other public health issues. Congresswoman DeLauro was joined by Project Longevity's Brent Peterkin, Kirsten Bechtel from the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, and Karl Minges from the University of New Haven. The speakers touched on the need for public health research and shared examples regarding how public health research has saved lives in other areas which included car safety belts. The impact of gun violence-related trauma in communities of color and first responders was highlighted as an area that would inform PTSD research.
To learn more please click on the links below.
https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/DeLauro-Congress-must-appropriate-funding-for-13679490.php
https://www.wtnh.com/news/politics/delauro-calls-gun-violence-a-public-health-emergency-pushes-for-cdc-funding/1840265857
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/delauro_gun_presser/
https://www.wnpr.org/post/congresswoman-rosa-delauro-pushes-gun-violence-research-cdc