Trigger Fingers

Freakonomics holds a quorum on ideas to cut gun homicides. David Hemenway, professor of health policy and director of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, wants a new government agency modeled after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Firearm deaths are currently the second leading cause of injury deaths in the United States; more than 270 U.S. civilians were shot per day in 2005, and 84 of those died. In response (as it did for motor vehicles) Congress should create a national agency with a mission to reduce the harm caused by firearms.

The agency should create and maintain comprehensive and detailed national data systems for firearm injuries and deaths and provide funding for research (e.g., currently the National Violent Death Reporting System provides funding for only 17 state data systems. It provides no money for research).