FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Contact:  
Julie Hirschhorn 
AAFP Public Relations 
jhirschhorn@aafp.org  

Statement attributable to:
Steven P. Furr, MD, FAAFP
President
American Academy of Family Physicians 

“For over a decade, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has stood firm in our position that gun violence is a public health epidemic. We support the U.S. Surgeon General’s new advisory to curb firearms-related injuries and deaths – especially among children and adolescents -- and continue to raise awareness about the dire consequences of unchecked gun violence. 

“Since 2020, firearms have become the leading cause of death in children and adolescents in the U.S. We are alarmed firearm-related suicide rose by nearly 20% and that over half of American students worry about a school shooting. These are trends that cannot be allowed to continue and further point to the urgent need for policies that mitigate firearm violence.

“Family physicians have long understood, and have seen first-hand, the devastating impact firearm violence has on our patients and the communities we serve. The effects of gun violence extend beyond physical health and safety to include mental health and financial impacts.

“The Surgeon General’s advisory comes on the heels of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to prohibit possession of firearms by someone under a domestic violence restraining order, which helps cement common sense safety provisions that address intimate partner violence and promote safe and responsible gun ownership.

“Our responsibility to advocate for safety in our communities and to talk with our patients about injury prevention, including safe firearm storage practices, is unwavering.”

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