Gun shy: Research damper, now lifted by Obama, has choked off science on preventing violence

MILWAUKEE – Researchers say that President Barack Obama’s order to encourage use of federal money to study gun violence may help lead to more knowledge about how to prevent firearm injuries and deaths.

About 30,000 Americans die from gun violence each year, nearly the same number as from car crashes. Much more is known about victims and vehicles in crashes than victims of gun deaths.

One reason is that rules passed in 1996 at the urging of the National Rifle Association barred use of federal money for research that might promote gun control. On Wednesday Obama urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to resume gun violence studies. Some scientists hope this will help answer basic questions such as how many people own firearms in various cities.