The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recognizes that gun violence is a public health epidemic and should be treated accordingly. The AAFP encourages the use of a public health approach to prevent future harms and injuries due to gun violence.
Physicians play an important role in counseling patients about injury prevention, including safe storage practices. Counseling is important for raising awareness for at-risk patients, particularly for pediatric and adolescent patients, and individuals who experience suicidal ideation. Family physicians should oppose state “gag rule” bills that aim to discourage this important doctor-patient communication.
The AAFP believes that federal and state policies can balance the right to own firearms with health, safety, and societal well-being. The AAFP supports the creation and development of a transparent, nonpartisan organization that would pursue funding for gun violence research and promote vital firearm safety measures. A national bureau for gun safety would bring together a wide range of experts in fields including medicine, public health, law enforcement, communications and engineering with a shared goal of decreasing firearm injury and death in the United States. Using a public health perspective, family physicians can employ evidence-based strategies to treat their patients and guide their communities on this important issue. With that in mind, the AAFP is committed to the following actions:
Stronger gun trafficking and purchase laws could help reduce gun violence by discouraging those who are legally able to buy guns from diverted weapons to criminals and those living in jurisdictions with restrictive firearm ownership requirements. The AAFP also supports the ban on the sales of assault weapons and high capacity magazines. (2013 COD) (October 2025 COD)