Soon prevention messages on firearms in the United States?
Alarmed by the growing number of victims and in particular the number of children killed by firearms across the Atlantic, the chief medical officer of the United States, Vivek Murthy, estimated on June 25 that it was a real “public health emergency”, to which the American government had to respond with preventive measures “worthy of those put in place to combat smoking and road accidents”, reports the American daily USA Today.
Among the recommendations of the American chief medical officer: “reinstating the ban on assault weapons, stricter storage of firearms to reduce the risk of homicides and suicides; or even the affixing, on the weapons themselves, of prevention warnings as on other consumer products”including cigarette packets for example, details the American daily.
The US Surgeon General, the federal government’s main spokesperson on public health issues, also highlighted the increased need for mental health resources for victims of gun violence, including in schools.
An epidemic of gun violence
Gun violence has continued to increase in recent years in the United States, underlines USA Today. In 2022, “more than 48,000 people died from firearms, 16,000 more deaths than in 2010”. Suicides by firearm have increased by 20%, including one “staggering rise” suicides among the youngest, according to chief medical officer Vivek Murthy.
What’s more, recalls the American daily: “in 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death among children, surpassing road accidents”.
Finally, more than 235 “mass” shootings (resulting in at least four injured or dead victims) have taken place since the start of 2024 in the United States, adds USA Today citing figures from the non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive which tracks victims of gun violence in the United States.
