[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 4295-4296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01272]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 4295]]


                Memorandum of January 16, 2013

                
Engaging in Public Health Research on the Causes 
                and Prevention of Gun Violence

                Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services

                In addition to being a law enforcement challenge, gun 
                violence is also a serious public health issue that 
                affects thousands of individuals, families, and 
                communities across the Nation. Each year in the United 
                States there are approximately 30,000 firearm-related 
                deaths, and approximately 11,000 of those deaths result 
                from homicides. Addressing this critical issue requires 
                a comprehensive, multifaceted approach.

                Recent research suggests that, in developing such an 
                approach, a broader public health perspective is 
                imperative. Significant strides can be made by 
                assessing the causes of gun violence and the successful 
                efforts in place for preventing the misuse of firearms. 
                Taking these steps will improve our understanding of 
                the gun violence epidemic and will aid in the continued 
                development of gun violence prevention strategies.

                Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President 
                by the Constitution and the laws of the United States 
                of America, I hereby direct the following:

                Section 1. Research. The Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services (Secretary), through the Director of the 
                Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other 
                scientific agencies within the Department of Health and 
                Human Services, shall conduct or sponsor research into 
                the causes of gun violence and the ways to prevent it. 
                The Secretary shall begin by identifying the most 
                pressing research questions with the greatest potential 
                public health impact, and by assessing existing public 
                health interventions being implemented across the 
                Nation to prevent gun violence.

                Sec. 2. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this 
                memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise 
                affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or 
the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent 
                with applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.
                    (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does 
                not, create any right or benefit, substantive or 
                procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any 
                party against the United States, its departments, 
                agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or 
                agents, or any other person.

[[Page 4296]]

                Sec. 3. Publication. You are hereby authorized and 
                directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal 
                Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, January 16, 2013

[FR Doc. 2013-01272
Filed 1-18-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 4150-42