Statement attributable to:
Susan R. Bailey, MD
American Medical Association President
“Gun violence is a public health crisis in the United States. It is a problem that we, thus far, are unwilling to take the steps necessary to save lives. The sad result is nearly 40,000 Americans died a gun-related death in 2019, including nearly 24,000 by suicide. Americans no longer wonder if and how gun violence can happen in their communities; they wonder when it will happen. Physicians across the country spent the past year very visibly treating COVID patients, but we also spent the past year treating gun violence victims—victims of domestic partner violence, suicides, and men, women, and children simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Enough is enough. The AMA strongly supports banning the sale and ownership of all assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. And we strongly urge the Senate to take up and pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021. We must not let past failure to act stop us from trying. The time for positive change—action to prevent future acts of gun violence—is now.”
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
