California lawmakers create a UC research center on gun violence
On Thursday, June 16, California legislators approved $5 million for the creation at UC of a new research center on firearm violence. The exact location of the research center is still to be determined, according to UC spokesperson Claire Doan.
Lawmakers supporting the legislation cited a 2013 state agency report detailing the heavy cost California pays for the results of gun violence. That report concluded that government-sponsored insurance programs pay for some two-thirds of the cost of firearm assaults and about half the cost of unintentional or self-inflicted gun injuries.
The UC center will investigate the causes and consequences of firearm violence as well as the effectiveness of current laws. The $5 million budget is intended to fund the first five years of the new center’s operation, with future funding sources yet to be determined.