Buckeye Reporter

An investigation by the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project has revealed that billionaire philanthropists Laura and John Arnold are funding research to support anti-gun policies. The Arnolds, through their organization Arnold Ventures and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, have been providing millions of dollars annually to colleges, universities, think tanks, and other groups for research promoting gun control.

Mark Oliva, public affairs director for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, commented on their influence: “Arnold Ventures is the gun control backer most Americans have never heard of. They quietly work behind the scenes... Their influence on trying to shape gun control policy rivals that of the biggest backers of antigun efforts.”

John Arnold's background includes a stint as a trader for Enron before its collapse. Beyond gun control, the couple supports health care reform, criminal justice reform, prison reform, and several nonprofit media groups.

The RAND Corporation is one significant recipient of funding from the Arnolds. According to RAND senior behavioral scientist Andrew R. Morral, PhD: “Arnold Ventures picked it up and has funded us since then.” Morral emphasized that RAND maintains neutrality in its research despite recognizing that sponsors might use findings for advocacy purposes.

RAND’s position on frequent gun-control targets is clear. Their website states: "Concealed-carry laws increase homicide rates" and "Stand-your-ground laws increase homicide rates." A recent report titled “State Policies Regulating Firearms and Changes in Firearm Mortality,” funded by Arnold Ventures and a National Institute of Health grant, aimed to estimate state firearm policies' effects on gun-related deaths.

Angela Landers from Arnold Ventures declined an interview but provided a written statement asserting their commitment to supporting factual research for developing fair gun policies.

The Trace announced three months ago the creation of a “Gun Violence Data Hub” sponsored by Arnold Ventures to aid journalists in accessing data on gun violence.

Arnold Ventures believes "firearm violence" constitutes a public health crisis. Asheley Van Ness from Arnold Ventures wrote: “It isn’t enough to get mad about gun violence... Change starts with adequate funding for research.”

In 2018, Arnold Ventures launched the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research (NCGVR) administered by RAND with Morral co-leading it. Since 2022, NCGVR has issued over 50 grants for various studies related to gun violence.

There is no legal issue with sponsoring such research; however, given its potential impact on civil rights, transparency about this philanthropy remains crucial.