American Medical Association reverses course, takes institutional stand against gun violence

[kpete]

One year ago, the American Medical Association "considered, debated, and then decided to pass when asked to join 36 other medical groups in an initiative intended to curb firearm-related injuries." They decided at their annual meeting not to endorse a call for universal background checks for all gun purchases last year. This year, at their annual meeting, they decided to take a stand:

Drama at AMA: Anti-Gun Resolution Passes
Jun 14, 2016 | Gale Scott

In a dramatic show of new-found solidarity, the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates today in Chicago, IL approved a resolution to take a stand against gun violence and to lobby Congress to repeal a ban on funding research into its causes. The resolution calls gun violence a public health problem.

The near-unanimous vote (Photo above) came as 55 co-sponsors signed on to the resolution last night as supporters of the measure. It originated with the AMA House of Delegates LGBT advisory committee.

Leading up to the vote this morning, many delegates offered impassioned pleas asking colleagues to endorse the measure.

Sponsor Josh Cohen, MD, of New York City, one of the original sponsors noted that “Gun violence numbers continue to increase. .. America is looking to its physicians for their voice and leadership.”

- See more at: http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/drama-at-ama-anti-gun-resolution-passes#sthash.39Z02Jvf.dpuf
http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/drama-at-ama-anti-gun-resolution-passes

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/6/14/1538653/-American-Medical-Association-reverses-course-takes-institutional-stand-against-gun-violence

[IronLionZion]

1. At the minimum they should collect and aggregate data on the problem

The NRA has effectively blocked federal agencies from collecting this data because it can be used to build support for legislation.

Non government organizations need to do this because they won't be influenced by the NRA.

[rurallib]

2. Having seen the AMA ignore this issue for decades, this is huge

[wildeyed]

3. Yes. Treat it as a the public health problem it has become.

People get all wound up in emotions on both sides. The reality is that guns are not going anywhere in our culture, but we MUST find a way to make them safer and to stop glamorizing people who misuse them.

Cars. Americans LOVE cars. We did not try to make all cars illegal, but there are rules about who can drive them, the safety feature that are required, that kind of thing. Certain cars are not allowed on public roads because their modifications make them too dangerous. Small children ride in special seats because the regular ones do not protect them during an accident. As a result, deaths from automobile accidents have declined. We still have them, people still die. But the problem has been reduced.

We need to think about gun safety along the same lines. And that starts with being able to study the problem, figure out what is actually effective at reducing deaths from firearms.