Utilizing the French language, the key focus phrase is “
– Recherche sur violence armes
– Nouvelle impulsion recherche armes
– Contrecarrer silence recherche armes
– Élan recherche violence armes
“.
In a digital depiction, a circle of hands emerges from the image’s periphery, each grasping a sheet of paper that converges in the center to unveil an illustration of a firearm. This powerful visual is credited to Oona Tempest from KFF Health News.
Gun violence has surged in the United States in recent times, manifesting in mass shootings at various venues and even in school altercations culminating in tragic outcomes. The year 2024 has witnessed a relentless wave of violence, with incidents like the Super Bowl parade shooting in Kansas City resulting in casualties. Despite the frequency of such events, many go unnoticed, leading to a mounting toll of injuries and fatalities.
The scourge of gun violence stands as one of America’s most lethal and financially burdensome public health crises. However, unlike other significant causes of mortality such as cancer or car accidents, there is a glaring lack of federal funding allocated towards researching and preventing gun violence.
This deficiency can be traced back to a brief clause inserted into the 1996 Congressional budget bill, prohibiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from utilizing funds for gun control advocacy. Crafted by Jay Dickey, a Republican from Arkansas with close ties to the National Rifle Association, this amendment severely hindered the CDC’s ability to investigate and address gun violence for nearly a quarter of a century.
Despite these challenges, a dedicated group of scholars have persistently documented the pervasive impact of gun violence on American society, shedding light on the issue for policymakers and communities navigating uncharted territory. Their work has not only encouraged a new wave of researchers to delve into the field but has also sparked a sense of urgency to comprehend the repercussions of firearm-related harm in a climate marked by escalating gun-related injuries and fatalities.
The statistics paint a grim picture: gun sales have surged to unprecedented levels in recent years, coinciding with a sharp rise in shootings. In 2021 alone, more individuals succumbed to gun-related incidents than in any previous year, with guns emerging as the primary cause of death among children and adolescents. Tragically, suicides and homicides accounted for a significant portion of these fatalities.
Data reveals a stark racial disparity, with Black individuals facing a significantly higher risk of dying from firearm violence compared to their white counterparts. Notably, guns were implicated in half of all deaths among Black teenagers aged 15 to 19 in 2021. Furthermore, research conducted by Harvard and published in JAMA estimated that gun injuries result in an annual economic loss of $557 billion, equivalent to 2.6% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
With gun violence permeating various regions of the country, surveys indicate widespread support among Americans, irrespective of their political affiliations or gun ownership status, for policies aimed at curbing violence. The momentum is building for enhanced research on gun violence, with a growing emphasis on understanding its far-reaching consequences and implementing effective preventive measures.
Contrecarrer le silence dans la recherche sur la violence des armes
Il n’est un secret pour personne que de nombreuses stratégies proposées aujourd’hui pour réduire les dommages causés par les armes, allant des détecteurs de métaux dans les écoles à une surveillance policière renforcée, en passant par le moment et la manière optimale de stocker les armes en toute sécurité, ainsi que les restrictions sur les ventes d’armes, manquent de base scientifique solide en raison d’un manque de données.
Cela aurait pu être différent.
La production d’armes à feu aux États-Unis a explosé à la fin des années 1980, inondant les communautés de plus de 200 millions d’armes. À cette époque, Mark Rosenberg était le directeur fondateur du Centre national de prévention des blessures et de contrôle des maladies (CDC) et son agence a joué un rôle crucial en aidant à financer la recherche sur la violence des armes et la santé publique.
**The Expertise of Mark Rosenberg in Gun Violence and Public Health**
Mark Rosenberg, a prominent figure in gun violence and public health, served as the inaugural director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC. With a vision akin to the successful reduction of car crash fatalities through substantial government investment in research during the 1970s, Rosenberg believed that a similar approach could be adopted to address gun violence. He questioned why advancements in preventing car accidents couldn’t be mirrored in the realm of gun violence.
Unfortunately, the aspiration to tackle gun violence through research hit a roadblock with the introduction of the Dickey Amendment. In 1993, a controversial study revealed a correlation between keeping guns at home and an increased risk of homicide, sparking backlash from conservative political circles. This led to intensified lobbying efforts by the NRA, culminating in the passing of the Dickey Amendment by Congress in 1996.
The political landscape further complicated matters, with influential figures like John Dingell of Michigan, a former NRA board member, aligning with the cause against gun violence research. The pressure mounted, resulting in Rosenberg’s dismissal from the CDC in 1999, followed by instances of CDC administrators tipping off the NRA about forthcoming research publications.
Reflecting on his abrupt departure, Rosenberg, now 78, expressed his shock at the situation, attributing it to the CDC’s work on gun violence prevention. The events underscored the challenges faced in advancing research on gun violence amidst political pressures and conflicting interests.
Chercheurs d’armes qui ont persévéré
Le fossé de dépenses d’un quart de siècle a laissé une pénurie de données sur l’étendue des effets sanitaires de la violence armée : Qui est touché par les tirs et pourquoi ? Qu’est-ce qui motive la violence ? Avec quelles armes ? Quelles sont les blessures ? Les suicides, en hausse à cause des tirs, peuvent-ils être réduits ou prévenus avec des mesures de sécurité ? La consommation de drogues et d’alcool augmente-t-elle les risques de préjudice ? Les mesures de sécurité des armes pourraient-elles réduire la violence domestique ? En fin de compte, qu’est-ce qui fonctionne et qu’est-ce qui ne fonctionne pas pour prévenir les fusillades ?
Si les chercheurs disent avoir “perdu une génération” de connaissances sur la violence armée, alors les familles américaines ont perdu encore plus, avec des millions de vies écourtées et un héritage de traumatismes transmis de génération en génération.
**Exploring the Momentum in Firearm Harm Prevention Research**
Rebecca Cunningham, an emergency medical doctor and the vice president of research at the University of Michigan, spearheaded a national conference last autumn dedicated to addressing firearm harm prevention. The event attracted over 750 professionals from various fields, including academics, public health experts, and law enforcement officials. Cunningham expressed optimism about the growing momentum for change in this area.
Drawing a parallel to cancer research, Cunningham highlighted the importance of continuous investigation into firearm violence. She emphasized the diverse nature of firearm-related incidents, requiring a multifaceted scientific approach for effective prevention strategies. Despite the lack of government funding, Cunningham and a dedicated group of researchers from different U.S. universities persisted in their efforts to tackle this pressing public health issue.
Garen Wintemute, for instance, invested approximately $2.45 million of his personal funds to support groundbreaking research at the University of California-Davis. Through a combination of state and private funding, he established a pioneering violence prevention program in California, a state at the forefront of firearm studies. Wintemute’s research revealed a significant surge in gun sales post-2020, surpassing previous sales projections by approximately 15 million transactions.
At Johns Hopkins University, Daniel Webster focused his research on the intersection of teenagers and firearms, particularly examining issues related to access and suicides. Webster successfully secured grants, including from the CDC, by framing his proposals carefully to study community violence without explicitly mentioning firearms.
Philip J. Cook, a researcher at Duke University, delved into the underground gun market by interviewing incarcerated individuals in Chicago jails. His comprehensive social science research shed light on the intricate processes of gun acquisition, sale, and trade within these illicit networks.
Harvard economist and public policy professor David Hemenway played a pivotal role in establishing the National Violent Death Reporting System, the most extensive database of U.S. gun-related fatalities to date. Despite the progress in tracking gun deaths, a federal database for nonfatal gun injuries remains absent, leaving a significant gap in understanding the full scope of firearm-related incidents.
Philanthropic organizations, such as the Joyce Foundation, Arnold Ventures, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and individuals like Michael Bloomberg, have significantly contributed to funding firearm harm research, bridging the financial gaps left by limited government support. The Rand Corp. noted an increasing trend of states taking proactive measures to support ongoing research initiatives in this critical field.
A study published in JAMA in 2017 underscored the stark underfunding of gun violence research compared to other leading causes of death. Despite the alarming mortality rates associated with gun violence, research in this area received disproportionately low financial backing from U.S. government agencies. The disparity in funding highlights the urgent need for enhanced support and strategic interventions to address firearm-related injuries and fatalities effectively.
A turning point and fresh drive for research
Amid the surge in gun violence reaching unprecedented heights, Congressman Dickey experienced remorse for his involvement in stifling research and developed a close relationship with Rosenberg. Collaboratively, they penned a crucial op-ed in The Washington Post underscoring the necessity for studies on preventing gun injuries. Their advocacy culminated in 2016 with a letter endorsing the establishment of the California Firearm Violence Research Center.
Both individuals, both NRA members, underscored two fundamental principles: safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners and curbing gun violence.
Following Dickey’s passing in 2017, Rosenberg expressed only admiration for him, absolving him of any blame. He acknowledged that the CDC faced congressional pressure to halt their gun-related research.
As concerns over alarming gun fatality rates from various sectors of society, including scientists, policymakers, and law enforcement, have intensified, research in this domain is gradually gaining traction.
Despite the fact that the Dickey Amendment did not constitute a complete prohibition, Congress allocated $25 million for gun research towards the end of 2019, dividing the funds between the CDC, mandated to research public health issues, and the National Institutes of Health. Although this amount pales in comparison to the funding allocated for car accident research, its continuity is not guaranteed. House Republicans recently proposed an amendment to once again slash federal funding for CDC gun research.
Nevertheless, it marks a beginning. With a burgeoning interest in the field, the baton has been passed to the upcoming cohort of researchers.
In November, Cunningham played a pivotal role in organizing a national conference on the prevention of firearm-related harm. Over 750 academics and professionals from various disciplines such as public health, law, and criminal justice congregated in Chicago for numerous presentations. A similar gathering in 2019, the first in two decades, attracted only a handful of presentations.
“There’s a palpable momentum,” Cunningham remarked during the conference, reflecting on the ongoing research. “There’s an impetus to drive a series of evidence-based changes — akin to how we’ve tackled other health issues.”
During a congressional hearing a few weeks later, Megan L. Ranney, the Dean of Yale University School of Public Health, candidly highlighted the escalating number of gun-related fatalities — particularly suicides — as a cautionary message for legislators. She warned that the nation is evolving into a populace of traumatized survivors, urging lawmakers to endorse enhanced data and research on risk factors.
**Research on Gun Violence: A New Perspective**
**Cassandra Crifasi’s Journey**
Cassandra Crifasi, now 41 years old, was just a high school sophomore when the tragic Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colorado, deeply impacted the nation. Recently appointed as the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, she has taken over from her mentor and research partner, Webster. Throughout her career, Crifasi has dedicated her efforts to assessing risk factors associated with gun use. She has actively collaborated with the Baltimore police and the city to implement strategies aimed at reducing violence.
Hailing from rural Washington state, Crifasi grew up in a family that valued responsible gun ownership. For her, firearms training was not a challenge to the Second Amendment but rather a matter of personal accountability. Drawing from her own experiences, she emphasized the importance of following rules and suggested that mandatory training for gun owners could be beneficial for ensuring safety.
**A Shift in Perspective**
Reflecting on the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, where 17 lives were lost and 17 others were injured, Crifasi highlighted a pivotal moment. She noted how students and parents mobilized, drawing inspiration from the activism of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Their presence in legislative settings and advocacy efforts signaled a shift in societal attitudes towards gun violence. Crifasi emphasized that the issue was no longer a taboo subject in politics or research.
**Shani Buggs: A Voice for Change**
Shani Buggs, a prominent figure at the California Firearm Violence Research Center, has delved into the impact of anxiety and depression on youth residing in areas plagued by gun violence. Transitioning from a corporate management background to pursuing a master’s in public health at Johns Hopkins, Buggs was deeply affected by the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting. Despite the national attention it garnered, she was struck by the ongoing gun violence in her local community of East Baltimore, often overlooked by the media.
Buggs, now a lead investigator at the California Firearm Violence Research Center, has shifted her focus to understanding the psychological toll of gun violence on young individuals. Her research underscores the alarming rise in firearm suicide rates among Black children and adolescents. She emphasizes the pervasive trauma inflicted by gun-related incidents in vulnerable communities, particularly those predominantly inhabited by Black and Hispanic populations.
**A Call for Action**
Buggs, recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive research and intervention strategies, stresses the importance of adequately funding initiatives aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by gun violence. She spearheaded the Black and Brown Collective, a group of dedicated scientists committed to contextualizing studies on gun violence within marginalized communities. Buggs advocates for increased resources to deepen our understanding of the complexities surrounding gun violence and its impact on society.
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