In recent years, gun violence has become a major concern in communities across the United States. The U.S. Surgeon General has now declared it a national public health crisis, with a 40-page advisory highlighting the prevalence of deaths related to firearms and offering recommendations for lawmakers to address this issue effectively.
Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Public Health Commissioner in Columbus, Ohio, expressed her concerns over the alarming data and fatalities associated with gun violence. While she acknowledged that the declaration by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is long overdue, she noted that her city has recognized the public health impact of violence for years and has been working to address it.
Looking ahead, Dr. Roberts hopes that the national designation of gun violence as a public health crisis will pave the way for more funding and support at the federal level. She emphasized the importance of additional resources to expand the city’s initiatives and effectively address the root causes of gun violence.
The report by the surgeon general advocates for measures such as banning assault weapons, increasing regulation on the gun industry, and implementing universal background checks. Dr. Roberts stated that her department will assess these recommendations to see how they align with the existing efforts to combat gun violence in Columbus.
Despite these efforts to address gun violence, there has been criticism of the surgeon general’s report from organizations like the NRA who have labeled it as part of President Biden’s agenda against law-abiding gun owners. However, Dr. Roberts emphasized that their focus remains on finding effective solutions to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths in communities across the country