Res. No. 314

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

By the Public Advocate (Mr. 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, increasing the understanding of gun violence by establishing and reporting what is known and unknown about firearms in the State, identifying priority needs for firearm research, and  coordinating public and/or private entities that are best situated to address such needs; and

                     Whereas, Additionally, in accordance with A02977/S04363, the firearm violence research institute would be responsible for working on a continuing basis with policy makers in the legislature and state agencies to identify, implement, and evaluate innovative firearm prevention policies and programs; and 

                      Whereas, The institute would be required to submit a report every five years to the Governor and the state legislature describing the programs undertaken or sponsored by the institute; and

                     Whereas, The bill also amends the state finance law, establishing a firearm violence research fund by which the firearm violence research institute will be funded; and

                     Whereas, Establishing a center for firearm violence research in New York will help to ensure long-term efforts towards understanding and preventing future gun violence against New Yorkers; and

                     Whereas, This research is of a particular importance for the City of New York as gun violence disproportionately impacts certain neighborhoods and populations in the City; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon 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.

LS #5792

03/29/18

CMA