Legislation to Watch – HR435 National Gun Violence Research Act

Today’s Legislation to Watch is HR435. This bill doesn’t represent a frontal attack on the Second Amendment. It designed to provide fodder for future gun control efforts instead.

HR435

House Resolution 435 – National Gun Violence Research Act was introduced January 10, 2019. It was introduced by Representative Eddie Johnson, who represents Texas’ District 30. The bill has 58 cosponsors currently.

HR435 is assigned to three House Subcommittees: Committee of Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology; Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health; and Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

According to the bill’s sponsors its’ purpose is “to provide for a coordinated national research program to examine the nature, causes, consequences, and prevention of violence and unintended injury and death relating to gun ownership, use, and trafficking, and for other purposes.”.

What the Legislation Does

• Amends various provisions of law and sets forth new provisions to promote gun violence research
• Removes limitations on the use of firearms tracing data by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Permits funds available to the Department of Health and Human Services to be used for gun violence research
• Establishes the National Gun Violence Research Program to promote gun violence research
• Authorizes various competitive grants to support research into the nature, causes, consequences, and prevention of gun violence.

Why You Should Care

HR435 doesn’t directly seek to restrict 2^nd Amendment rights, but it does open a back door that could lead to future restrictions. The thing is, research and statistics can be skewered to reflect whatever it is you want them to say. Data obtained from research can be used to create fear. As we know, fear is frequently an excuse for taking away rights. Contact your Representatives and let them know you do not support tax dollars being used to fund anti-gun research. If you need help getting started check out our article Second Amendment Advocacy – A How to Guide.

You can get ongoing updates on this legislation here:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/435