U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy made a groundbreaking declaration on Tuesday, stating that gun violence is an urgent public health crisis. In his advisory, he emphasized the need for the U.S. to address the physical and psychological harms caused by shootings with the same level of urgency and tools used for other nonpartisan public health interventions such as smoking cessation and seat belt use.
According to Murthy, over 48,000 Americans died from firearm injuries in 2022, with more than half of those deaths being suicides. Gun violence surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for children in 2020. Murthy stressed that there is a consensus that gun violence is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. He urged Americans to recognize that this is a profound but solvable public health crisis and that action can be taken to address it.
Some of Murthy’s proposals included implementing warning labels for firearms, banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, mandating safe gun storage, and increasing mental health resources for victims and witnesses of gun violence. However, many of these suggestions would require legislation passed by Congress, where most gun legislation tends to face challenges. Some state legislatures may consider adopting some of the surgeon general’s proposals in the future.
The National Rifle Association criticized Murthy’s advisory, calling it an extension of the Biden Administration’s efforts to restrict gun ownership. Despite ongoing debates and challenges, it is evident that addressing gun violence requires a multifaceted approach involving legislative action, public health interventions, and increased awareness of the issue.