Res. No. 314
Title
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A02977/S04363, which would establish a center for research into firearm-related violence and a firearm research fund
Body
By Council Member Williams
Whereas, According to the Gun Violence Archive, in 2017, 61,531 gun violence incidents were reported in the United States, resulting in 15,581 deaths and 31,181 injuries; and
Whereas, Among developed nations, the United States has six times as many firearm homicides as Canada, and nearly sixteen times as many as Germany; and
Whereas, Gun violence has significant public health and safety implications; and
Whereas, Despite the prevalence of gun violence in the United States, little is documented or researched about the factors that give rise to it or methods of prevention; and
Whereas, Unlike other major health and societal concerns, research into gun violence is scarce; and
Whereas, In 1996, the United States Congress voted to prohibit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from funding research that "advocated for gun control"; and
Whereas, The CDC interprets this ban to extend to all research on gun violence prevention, and as such has not funded any relatable research since; and
Whereas, In lieu of the federal government's failure to acknowledge and effectively act to end gun violence, local and state jurisdictions must take the lead; and
Whereas, A02977/S04363 sponsored by Assemblywoman Jo Ann Simon and Senator Roxanne Persaud, respectively, would create a firearm violence research institute with an array of responsibilities; and
Whereas, According to A02977/S04363, the firearm violence research institutes' purpose would be to advise the Governor, governmental agencies, regents, and the legislature on matters relating to firearm violence in New York State; and
Whereas, Pursuant to A02977/S04363, the institute will be tasked with several ventures, including but not limited to, increasin...
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