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Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Helpless Against Gun Violence
The tragic reality of gun violence in our society is staggering. Just yesterday, the deadliest mass shooting since the Sandy Hook incident left 14 individuals dead as a couple unleashed gunfire at a center for individuals with developmental disabilities. Over the past week alone, we have witnessed six mass shootings—defined as incidents involving four or more victims. According to ShootingTracker.com, which monitors gun-related fatalities in the United States, there were 355 mass shootings in 2015. That’s more shootings than days in the year.
Let that settle in for a moment.
The cycle of violence seems to intensify with each passing day, with horrifying statistics emerging continuously. Not long ago, we reported that toddlers had been involved in 43 shootings this year. Where does it all end?
There’s a universal consensus: this must come to a halt. But how do we achieve that? There are tangible actions we can take to address gun violence, supported by research that could lead to meaningful legislation.
For the past 20 years, a ban on research into gun violence has stifled our understanding of the issue. This prohibition, influenced by the NRA’s lobbying efforts, is rooted in The Dickey Amendment, which states that no funds allocated for injury prevention at the CDC may be used to promote or advocate for gun control. This means that the CDC, an organization dedicated to safeguarding public health, is unable to investigate the public health implications of gun violence. After the tragic shooting on a campus in Oregon, former Congressman Jay Dickey expressed his regret over the amendment, stating, “I wish we had started the proper research and kept it going all this time.”
Recently, members of Congress joined physicians in advocating for the repeal of this ban on research. Representative Lisa Harris, a vice chair of the House’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, emphasized that, “Gun violence poses one of the most challenging public health dilemmas we face, yet the misguided ban on research leaves us in the dark.” It’s disheartening to realize we lack comprehensive studies on the causes and prevention of gun violence.
Dr. Rachel Thompson, a pediatrician who has worked in underserved communities, lamented, “In my experience, research has saved countless lives from diseases and accidents, yet we’re denied the same opportunity when it comes to gun violence.” The argument that “a gun is not a disease” falls flat against an organization that has successfully researched various non-disease-related topics for years.
It’s clear we have the means to tackle gun violence; we just need to take the necessary steps. Research consistently shows that an increase in guns correlates with a rise in fatalities. This year, gun sales have surged to unprecedented levels. For instance, on Black Friday alone, the FBI processed a record 185,345 background checks—approximately two every second. The previous record was set shortly after the Sandy Hook tragedy, when over 950,000 background checks were conducted in a single week. It’s hard to deny that such tragedies seem to fuel the gun industry.
The NRA’s response to these events has often been to promote more firearms in the hands of “responsible individuals,” while avoiding laws that could regulate gun sales and continuing to suppress research that could illuminate the gravity of the situation.
It’s time for us to unite and demand change. Together, we can take a stand against gun violence and work towards a safer environment for our children. For more information on how to make a difference, check out resources like this informative post.
In summary, while gun violence continues to plague our society, we possess the ability to create change through research and informed legislation. We can’t afford to remain passive any longer.