The Ethics and Politics of Gun Violence Research

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2021 Sep;31(9):983-987. doi: 10.1089/lap.2019.0626. Epub 2019 Dec 13.

Abstract

Gun violence is an epidemic that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Despite gun violence being disproportionately more lethal than other leading causes of trauma, there is a dearth of research being carried out on its root causes and prevention strategies. For the past 20 years, lobbying and politics have interfered with the forward progress of gun violence research. Physicians have a history of producing actionable public-health change and have an ethical obligation to fight for the research that will benefit their patients.

Keywords: NRA; firearm research; firearm violence; gun research; gun violence; trauma.

MeSH terms

  • Firearms*
  • Gun Violence* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Physicians*
  • Politics
  • United States / epidemiology