prevention for the cdc could be used to advocate or promote gun control. the man in charge of cdc injury research said at the time it was like a shot across the bow. >> individual researchers were afraid. cdc leadership was afraid. hhs leadership was afraid. and as a result, i think the country lost a lot of time figuring out how to get solutions. >> reporter: so 17 years later, the white house is now asking the cdc to re -- research the causes of gun violence and find ways to prevent it, bill. bill: what does the opposition say, jonathan? >> reporter: some second amendment advocates are concerned. they say they have no problem with the research when it is privately-funded but they say their concern when the federal government gets involved, there's often a motive that goes beyond just you know biased research. listen. >> the government certainly has an agenda when it comes