[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 56 (Thursday, March 30, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH LEGISLATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2017

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to 
reintroduce legislation to authorize the use of federal funds for long 
overdue research on firearm safety and gun violence.
  For too long, Congress has failed to address the public health crisis 
caused by gun violence. On average, there are 32,000 deaths and 76,000 
injuries from gun violence each year in the United States. Gun deaths 
now outpace traffic fatalities in our country. It is time to address 
the epidemic of gun violence and prevent future incidents. Public 
health research will help identify effective solutions we can implement 
in order to save lives.
  The bill I introduce today, with companion legislation introduced by 
Sen. Ed Markey, would authorize $10 million in annual funding for the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through Fiscal Year 
2023. This funding will allow the CDC to implement the research agenda 
outlined in a 2013 report issued by the Institutes of Medicine that 
identified areas in need of study to better understand the underlying 
causes of gun violence and develop strategies for prevention.
  We have more gun-related deaths than any other developed country, yet 
we have put prohibitions in place that prevent us from obtaining 
comprehensive, scientific information about the causes and 
characteristics of gun violence. This public health crisis cannot be 
ignored any longer. This legislation addresses the epidemic of gun 
violence and identifies the best strategies to prevent future 
incidents.
  I'm proud this bill has gained the support of leading groups on gun 
violence prevention, like Everytown for Gun Safety, and the public 
health community--including the American Medical Association (AMA). The 
AMA said ``gun violence in the United States is a public health crisis 
requiring a comprehensive public health response and solution.'' I 
could not agree more.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important 
legislation that can save lives.

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