May 24, 2016

Attorney General George Jepsen has joined with 13 other attorneys general in asking Congressional leadership to immediately direct funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for research into the causes and prevention of gun-related injuries and death.

In a letter sent to House and Senate leaders today, the attorneys general advocated for better evidence-based strategies to combat the epidemic of gun violence in communities across the country. The attorneys general are also asking for Congress to eliminate the annual appropriations bill rider that prohibits the use of CDC funds to "advocate or promote gun control," which they argue has been construed to limit the CDC's authority to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.

"In directing funding to the CDC for this kind of research, Congress has an opportunity to right a wrong that has persisted for far too long," said Attorney General Jepsen. "We have an untapped resource in the CDC, which has a proven record of bringing understanding to public health matters and helping develop strategies to address them. More than 30,000 people die in this country each year due to gun violence, yet the CDC is not allowed to fund research that may help to save lives. Now is the time for Congress to take steps necessary to study the causes of gun violence, and I'm proud to join with my colleagues today to call on Congress to take action immediately."

Analyses of prevention measures, such as counseling by healthcare providers, and scientific research into the root cause and psychology of gun violence are needed to help reduce the number of gun violence victims, the attorneys general said. While more than half a million Americans have died by firearms over the past 20 years, federal funding for gun violence research has been cut by 96 percent. The attorneys general said that sidelining the CDC severely limits data collection and discourages public health professionals from working in this field.

"Scientific evidence," they wrote, "would bolster the effectiveness of efforts around the country to reduce gun violence and would make a significant difference in the millions of lives that are affected, both directly and indirectly, by that violence every year."

Other attorneys general signing today's letter – led by the Massachusetts attorney general – include attorneys general from California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.

Attorney General Jepsen's office is currently defending legal challenges to Connecticut's expanded gun control laws limiting assault weapons and large capacity magazines, which were enacted after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Those laws were upheld by the trial and federal court of appeals, and the plaintiffs' request for further review is pending before the United States Supreme Court.

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