U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- There’s no question that crime is a problem in need of multi-faceted solutions. The firearm and ammunition industry recognizes the shared goal of reducing crime and supports unbiased research that will help to meet that goal.
However, a recent article in the Seattle Times illustrates the problem at the heart of the debate over violent crime: bias among researchers. In this microcosm of the debate, the author begins with the news that a group of trauma centers have started a two-year project collecting data on patients with firearm-related injuries. The research, funded by the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research, sounds great on the surface. More data on non-fatal injuries can help identify solutions to help further drive the trendline downward, and build on the declines in recent years.
After a brief description of the project, the author dives headfirst into the inaccurate and misleading attack on the 1996 Dickey Amendment and the false narrative promoted by gun control groups that it blocks such research. We will let the facts speak for themselves on this, but the pivot from “more research is great,” to “the evil gun lobby is blocking research,” is quick here.
Inconvenient Facts
Apart from quoting NSSF data on the increase in firearm purchases over the past few months, due to concerns about COVID and social unrest, the author ignores the NSSF’s existence. This means there is zero mention of the firearm industry’s initiatives that help target the very real problems facing our communities. There is no mention of the Project ChildSafe initiative, the long-standing program to educate gun owners about safe storage and to provide free gunlocks in every state. Likewise, while the author acknowledges that two-thirds of firearm-fatalities are suicides, not the result of violent crime, she fails to mention the industry’s partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, or work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop Real Solutions for these tragedies.
Instead, the politics of gun control takes center stage in the article, just as it often does when a study on a firearm-related topic is released. The bias inherent in the research and in the media means that even research undertaken with laudable goals is likely to fall victim to manipulation and the political agenda of gun control advocates.
With millions of new gun owners joining the ranks of those exercising their Second Amendment rights in these uncertain times, the firearm and ammunition industry will continue to pursue real solutions for safer communities, even without the attention from biased researchers or the media.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
Leftist arguments must avoid the truth. The only time they are concerned about “facts” is when they can cherry pick data to support a preconceived conclusion. That is not science.
The “National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research” does not “sound great on the surface.” I encourage all here to reject use of the phrase “gun violence,” which has been inserted into the popular lexicon by gun ban organizations to imply that somehow death by gun is worse than death by stabbing, bludgeoning or improvised explosive device.
It appears this entire article is based on a FAKE FACT.
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There IS NO SUCH THING AS GUN VIOLENCE!!
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An inanimate object, no matter what that object is, CANNOT COMMIT VIOLENCE on its own.
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VIOLENCE only occurs when a PERSON is WANTON to harm others.
Seattle Times? Consider the source. Portland, Seattle, the entire left coast might as well be California.
If you don’t believe that their goal is to remove firearms from as many people as possible, with the exception of their security agents, then you can go to Hell along with them.
The Seattle Times a liberal leaning news source shouldn’t cause concern for their anti-gun article where they can’t tell the truth as they will never be convinced that guns are not the cause of shootings but the person who pulls the trigger is the responsible party.
Also the NSSF should be glad that the news source doesn’t try to bash them as they have the NRA and declare war on the organization and vow to bring it down.
The Times also didn’t see riots happening in their city only peaceful protests what a bunch of morons.
Jim Grant: You and readers will note that I’m quoted rather at length in Sara Jean’s article. She’s a good reporter and got it word-for-word when she wrote, “Workman said gun-rights groups don’t oppose unbiased scientific research into gun injuries and deaths so long as it doesn’t lead “to more restrictions on law-abiding gun owners who haven’t harmed anybody.”
I cannot brag about the anti-gun mindset that seems to drive such research.
I think she’ll find your perspective useful.
Dr. Lott’s “Crime Prevention Research Center” is the only source I rely on for irrefutable statistics and data on these issues. You won’t find a more reliable resource, and their site is full of excellent resources for those of us working in this field. Highly recommend.
More uneducated college kid’s opinion pieces disguised as wannabe journalism.
I have a question…where’s the data that validates the following statement by Dr. Eileen Bulger? I prefer facts to speculation.
“It doesn’t reflect the (full scope of the) problem because it doesn’t include the number of people who died before they got to the hospital,” she said. “We have more people dying from firearm injuries in this country than in motor-vehicle crashes, so it’s a huge public health problem.”