FILE – (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Gun violence plaguing major metropolitan cities and small towns across the United States has been officially declared a national public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General.
A 40-page opinion lays out statistics on gun-related deaths as well as proposals to lawmakers on how to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.
Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said the data and deaths associated with gun violence are alarming. Learning that the nation’s top doctor, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, has declared gun violence a public health crisis doesn’t come as a surprise to Roberts, but she added that it’s a designation that’s long overdue.
“My first reaction was to say, ‘I think my mayor said this several years ago,’ so I felt like the director general of public health was late to the party.” , Roberts said. “We have recognized for several years that gun violence and all forms of violence are a public health problem here in Columbus. »
The surgeon general’s 40-page report calls for a ban on assault weapons, more regulation of the gun industry and universal background checks.
Roberts said the department will also review the recommendations to see how they can contribute to the work his office has already put in place.
“I think this could open the door to new funding in the future, particularly at the federal level,” Roberts said. “If we could get more support, whether it’s from the state or the federal government, that would be great. This would allow us to expand this work. »
The surgeon general’s report on gun violence was dismissed as a public health crisis. On X, formerly Twitter, the NRA critical ” the report, calling it “a continuation of the Biden administration’s war against law-abiding gun owners.”
