In a bold move, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has declared gun violence a public health crisis in the United States, referring to it as an epidemic that poses serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of the country. In his advisory report issued on Tuesday morning, he highlighted the impact of gun violence on children, communities, and families.
Dr. Murthy stated that gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the country. More than half of adults have reported experiencing gun violence either personally or through their family members, including incidents such as a family member being killed, witnessing a shooting, or firing a gun themselves. Nearly six out of ten adults express worry about their loved ones becoming victims of gun violence.
According to recent events in Raleigh over the weekend, there were three separate shootings that resulted in a total of six people being injured. These incidents occurred at various locations around Raleigh and have left local businesses and residents concerned about the escalating violence in their community. As this issue continues to impact communities nationwide, Dr. Murthy’s declaration serves as a call to action for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to address this crisis and work towards solutions that will help prevent further tragedies.