US Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, declared gun violence a public health crisis, advocating for measures such as banning automatic rifles and introducing universal background checks. Murthy emphasizes that gun violence should be seen as a public health issue akin to smoking. His advisory aims to promote legislative and research efforts to reduce firearm deaths.

In a significant move, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, declared gun violence a public health crisis on Tuesday, underscoring the urgency of addressing the escalating number of firearm-related injuries and deaths.

The advisory calls for sweeping measures, including a ban on automatic rifles, universal background checks for gun purchases, and stricter regulations on firearm usage and storage. These recommendations come amid a surge in mass shootings, which have shaken the country.

Drawing parallels to the campaign against smoking, Murthy emphasized that the issue must transcend politics and be tackled as a pressing public health concern. “America should be a place where we can all walk, learn, shop, and pray without fearing for our lives,” Murthy told The Associated Press.