Dickey Amendment

Dickey Amendment

The Dickey Amendment is a significant piece of legislation in the United States that has had a profound impact on the field of gun violence research. Named after its author, former U.S. Representative Jay Dickey of Arkansas, the amendment was first passed in 1996 and has been renewed annually since.

Background

The Dickey Amendment was introduced in response to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1993, which found that having a firearm in the home increased the risk of homicide and suicide. This study, and others like it, led to criticism from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun rights advocates who believed the CDC was promoting gun control. In response, the Dickey Amendment was passed to prevent the CDC from using its funding "to advocate or promote gun control."

Impact

While the Dickey Amendment does not explicitly ban research on gun violence, it has had a chilling effect on the field. The amendment led to a significant decrease in the amount of federal funding available for gun violence research. This has resulted in a lack of comprehensive data on the subject, which many argue has hindered efforts to address and prevent gun violence.

Controversy and Criticism

The Dickey Amendment has been the subject of much controversy and criticism. Many public health experts, researchers, and gun control advocates argue that the amendment has effectively stifled research on a major public health issue. They contend that without comprehensive research, it is difficult to create effective policies and interventions to prevent gun violence.

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been calls to repeal the Dickey Amendment. In 2018, Congress clarified that the CDC can conduct research on gun violence, but the amendment remains in place, and the CDC is still prohibited from using its funds to advocate for gun control.

See Also

• Gun politics in the United States
• Public health
• Firearm death rates in the United States by state