Gun violence remains one of the most urgent public health crises in the United States, killing more than 40,000 people each year. Robust research is urgently needed to identify life-saving solutions and interventions. Yet research into this preventable epidemic has long been underfunded and undervalued at the federal level. Fortunately, Gov. Murphy has relentlessly worked to ensure that New Jersey is a leader in gun violence prevention, including through the creation and funding of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC), a first-of-its-kind institution at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Since its inception, the GVRC has not only conducted vital research but has also acted as a funding agency that attracts top talent to this vital area of study. This dual role enables the GVRC to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and keep New Jersey at the forefront of gun violence prevention. However, the GVRC’s future — and the future of gun violence prevention research more broadly — is under threat. For decades, federal support for gun violence research has been stymied by political opposition from the gun lobby. The 1996 Dickey Amendment effectively eliminated federal funding for such research by barring agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from using funds to “promote gun control.” For over 20 years, this provision created a chilling effect that left researchers unable to gather the data necessary to inform evidence-based policies and steered scientists away from focusing their work on gun violence prevention. Although the Dickey Amendment was partially repealed in 2018, the federal response has been tepid at best. As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the federal landscape for gun violence prevention is likely to become even more hostile. Proposed rollbacks to gun violence prevention regulations and reduced support for public health initiatives threaten to undermine years of progress. In this environment, the GVRC’s work is more important than ever. By safeguarding and expanding the GVRC’s budget, Gov. Murphy and the state legislature can ensure that New Jersey remains a national beacon of progress and innovation in the fight against gun violence. Gov. Murphy, a strong advocate for public health and safety, has consistently demonstrated his commitment to reducing gun violence through sensible gun laws and investments in community and hospital-based violence interventions. While we are keenly aware of the budget constraints this year, by substantially increasing the GVRC’s budget, Gov. Murphy and our equally supportive leaders in the state legislature can further solidify New Jersey’s legacy and leadership.  Additionally, it would provide defense against anticipated federal threats and ensure the life-saving work of the GVRC not only continues but thrives in the coming years. The result will be countless lives saved and tragedies spared both for New Jerseyans and Americans across the country. By Karen Kanter and Carole Stiller of Brady New Jersey, a chapter of Brady: United Against Gun Violence