AMA expands policy on background checks, waiting period for gun buyers

The American Medical Association (AMA) voted today to expand its existing policy on gun safety to include support for waiting periods and background checks for all firearm purchasers. The previous policy supported waiting periods and background checks for handgun purchasers only. Today's vote builds on extensive, longstanding AMA policy on gun safety.

"The shooting in Orlando is a horrific reminder of the public health crisis of gun violence rippling across the United States. Mass killers have used AR-15s, rifles and handguns, and today we strengthened our policy on background checks and waiting periods to cover them all with the goal of keeping lethal weapons out of the hands of dangerous people," said AMA past President Steven J. Stack, MD.