As a result of NRA lobbying, politicians passed a 1996 appropriations bill that was amended to include a stipulation that "None of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control.” This restriction against funding for research on gun violence remains in place today. The ban on funding has had a chilling effect that has closed off true scientific inquiry and possibly contributed to the epidemic of gun violence.

The CDC is an organization that provides unbiased, evidence-based research. Therefore, they are best-positioned to provide accurate statistics related to gun crimes. Thus, we petition that the CDC receive funding and be allowed to conduct this vital research.

(Text taken from previous White House petition, available here: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/repeal-law-forbids-centers-disease-control-doing-research-gun-violence)