Although there are an increasing number of studies of gun violence and patterns of firearm use, a lack of data remains “at the heart of many of the difficulties in advancing research in this area,” said the report’s lead author, Charles Wellford, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland, College Park.

“I think it’s a fair conclusion to argue that our first investment should be in research to see if we can improve data on firearms violence, ownership, access and possession, and if that’s achieved, then we’ll be in a better position to start addressing some of these other research questions,” Wellford said.

The report calls for federal government support of a “systematic program of data collection and research that specifically addresses” firearms violence. The report authors also recommend continued support for two existing databases, the National Violent Death Reporting System and National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Wellford and the others acknowledge that collecting information on guns will be difficult in the face of Americans’ “deeply held concerns” about privacy and potential uses of a government firearms database. Eventually, gun data would be combined with other political considerations to determine specific policy recommendations, the authors conclude.

“Should regulations restrict who may possess firearms? Should there be restrictions on the number or types of guns that can be purchased? Should safety locks be required? Answers to these questions involve issues that go beyond research on firearm violence,” said Wellford.

To read the full report, “Firearms and Violence: A Critical Review,” go here.