Gun Laws and the Science of Harm

David Hemenway of the Harvard School of Public Health has approached gun laws scientifically.

David Hemenway

In the wake of the tragic killings of more than two dozen people, mostly young children, in Newtown, Connecticut, the New York Times published an editorial advocating much stricter gun laws in the United States, pointing out that “the American murder rate is roughly 15 times that of other wealthy countries, which have much tougher laws controlling private ownership of guns.”  In two places, the text cites research from the Harvard Injury Control Research Center at the Harvard School of Public Health, whose director is professor of health policy David Hemenway.  The Harvard Magazine feature “Death by the Barrel” describes and explains Hemenway’s research, which applies the scientific method to the gun problem and frames it as a public-health, rather than a political, issue, distilling some of the findings and ideas in his 2004 book, Private Guns Public Health, a comprehensive treatise on both the grim facts and the policy issues involved in firearm regulation.

 

Sub topics

You might also like

Trump Administration Alleges Harvard Violated Student Civil Rights

In a court filing, the University says government has ignored procedure to “inflict pain.”

John Goldberg named Dean of Harvard Law School

A professor at HLS since 2008, he steps up from the interim role.

Nieman Foundation Names Henry Chu as Interim Curator

Veteran LA Times journalist calls attention to press freedom

Most popular

House Committee Subpoenas Harvard Over Tuition Costs

The University must turn over all requested materials related to tuition and financial aid by mid-July. 

Global Reach

A new center in Shanghai reflects Harvard’s growing engagement with the People’s Republic.

The New Gender Gaps

What to do as men and boys fall behind

Explore More From Current Issue

Saluting the 2025 Centennial Medalists

Four alumni of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are honored.

Walter Wick’s I Spy Series

I Spy Creator Walter Wick at the Norman Rockwell Museum 

Harvard’s Comedy and Improv Scene

In comedy groups, students find ways to be absurd, present, and a little less self-conscious.