TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
AP: 32f3967c-93ee-48ef-b016-379603d966cf

Do we want the answer or not?

BY Dave Ross  on January 17, 2013 @ 6:33 am (Updated: 6:47 am - 1/17/13 )

This was a strange thing to hear the president say Wednesday: "And while year after year, even those who oppose modest gun safety measures have threatened to de-fund scientific or medical research into the causes of gun violence - I will direct the Centers for Disease Control to go ahead and study the best ways to reduce it."

I didn't realize that the gun lobby had worked to cut government funding for research into gun violence. That seems odd. That would be like car companies trying to prohibit research on air bags.

Yet, it turns out that in 1997, Congress imposed a moratorium that forbid the CDC to spend any federal money on research that could be used to "advocate or promote gun control." Because the gun lobby considered these studies propaganda. Even though many gun injuries occur in the families of gun owners - who the gun lobby is supposed to be protecting.

And here's another weird thing, I found that about the same number of Americans die in traffic accidents as by gunfire every year - a little over 30,000. But the number of traffic deaths has been dropping steadily - even as driving has increased - thanks to a lot of government-sponsored safety research.

There was also a dramatic decrease in gun-related deaths too, between 1994 and 1999, when the Brady Bill imposed a five day waiting period on gun purchases. But in 1999, when the waiting period was replaced with an instant background check, the number started creeping up again.

It would be interesting to find out if there's a link. But it was during that same period, Congress cut off the funding for gun research. I guess when you don't want to hear the answer, one solution is to make sure you don't ask the question.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (70)


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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Sure Cigarrete puffer!
    January 17, 2013 1:37 pm
    One the killing on the streets of cities by people using real assault style weapons with greater than 7 round clips stops.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    Proof that gun nuts are cowards
    January 17, 2013 6:18 pm
    James Yeager a few days ago: "if it goes one inch further, I'm going to start killing people".

    James Yeager after the government taps him on the shoulder: "I do not in any way advocate the overthrowing of the United States government, nor do I condone any violent actions towards any elected officials".

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    SeattleD
    January 17, 2013 6:21 pm
    Wanna gang up on Flounder?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    beating up on fish...
    January 17, 2013 7:57 pm
    not really my thing
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Seek help
    January 17, 2013 9:55 pm
    Flounder
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }