The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence a public health crisis on Tuesday, highlighting the surge in firearm-related injuries and deaths. This advisory follows a weekend of mass shootings that resulted in numerous casualties.
“People want to be able to walk through their neighborhoods and be safe,” Murthy stated. He called for measures including banning automatic rifles, introducing universal background checks, regulating the gun industry, restricting public gun use, and penalizing unsafe storage of firearms.
Implementing these measures nationwide requires Congressional legislation, which has historically faced resistance. Some states, however, have enacted or may consider such proposals.
Murthy emphasized widespread concern over gun violence, citing a poll showing that most Americans worry about firearm injuries to loved ones. In 2022, over 48,000 Americans died from gun-related injuries.
Murthy’s advisory is expected to be controversial, particularly among Republican lawmakers, many of whom opposed his confirmation due to his stance on gun violence. Despite previous promises not to focus on gun control, Murthy has faced pressure to address the issue. He now aims to treat gun violence as a public health issue, similar to past public health campaigns against smoking.
Murthy’s advisory, titled “Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America,” highlights the impact on young Americans, with rising suicide rates and a higher likelihood of gun-related deaths among U.S. children compared to other countries. He advocates for increased research and promoting gun safety education in the healthcare system.
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