In the past five years, there have been nearly 300 school shootings and more than 1,300 mass shootings. Gun violence has killed more than 65,750 people, with America's communities of color facing a massively disproportionate risk of gun injury or death. And, as the March for Our Lives demonstrated, the public demand for action is growing.
We cannot afford to sideline science as a tool to help create effective policy solutions to this public health crisis. Congress has made one promising move by opening the door for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct gun violence research. Research that has been effectively blocked for more than two decades.
Now it's time to demand that gun violence research be a reality. Call on the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to issue guidance to CDC researchers to resume gun violence prevention research.
Secretary Azar expressed support for CDC gun violence research and has even stated that he would be "proactive" in having federal scientists investigating gun violence.Write Secretary Azar today to demand he stand by his words and direct CDC scientists to research gun violence prevention.
Dear Secretary Azar:
I am writing to thank you for taking a position in support of the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) to resume gun violence research during your nominations process. Your expressed desire to be proactive on gun violence research is precisely was promising to hear—we now need leadership in your action.
I urge you to issue guidance for CDC scientists to research gun violence research, and for the next CDC director to expediently develop and implement a research agenda that helps our country address gun violence.
[Your comment here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
