Newtown, CT — Yesterday, Congressional leaders reached a long-awaited deal to fund research on gun violence for the first time in more than 20 years. With gun violence on the rise, this deal will provide $25 million to be split evenly between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health to study gun violence and how to prevent it.
Sandy Hook Promise, a leading gun violence prevention organization, issued the following statement in response:
“We applaud House and Senate leaders for coming together to provide this critical and overdue investment in gun violence research. The $25 million that will be allocated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health will help save lives. With gun violence being one of the country’s leading causes of death – and the second most common cause of death among our youth – this research is needed to help us improve safety measures and reduce rates of gun violence and suicide. At Sandy Hook Promise, we know that gun violence is preventable when you know the signs of someone in crisis and can say something to intervene before a tragedy can occur. The more we know about this epidemic, the better we can be upstanders and get help for those in need,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.
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About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. SHP’s mission is to create a culture engaged in preventing shootings, violence, and other harmful acts in schools. Through its proven Know the Signs programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the “human side” of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions, and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. Make the Promise at www.sandyhookpromise.org.