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In 2009, 11,495 people were shot and killed
in gun-related homicides in the US.
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In comparison, there were 173 gun homicides
in Canada in the same year,
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30 in Australia, and 18 in the United Kingdom.
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Of these 11,495 unlawful killings,
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234 of them were children 14 years of age or younger.
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Understanding why these deaths occur and how to
prevent them requires more research
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into the risks and benefits of gun
ownership and use in today's society.
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In 1996, the leading US federal research agency
addressing gun deaths and their prevention
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was given an effective cease and desist order.
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Language was introduced into the agency's appropriations
bill that stated:
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"none of the funds made available for injury prevention
and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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may be used, in whole or in part, to
advocate or promote gun control"
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Under this clause, it is unlawful for the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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to fund research that is perceived as promoting
gun control in any way.
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This clause remains in place to this day.
