Position Statement on America’s Gun Violence Epidemic
In the face of escalating tragedies that shake the very fabric of our nation we issue this statement on
senseless pervasive gun violence
imploring our federal government to rigorously and uncompromisingly confront this crisis. We extend a fervent request to our counterparts in state and national medical associations to amplify this urgent plea.
Our nation reels, paralyzed by a palpable deficit in ethical leadership.
As stewards of healthcare we are morally obligated to articulate truth unflinchingly to those in power. This obligation transcends mere professional duty; it is nurtured by our unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our patients, their grieving families, and to all survivors grappling with the aftermath of senseless gun violence. Undeniably, it is inspired by the heroism of our first responders who stand undaunted in the face of recurrent strategies. Not least, this motivation rises from a deep sense of citizenship responsibility to preserve the dignity of this sacred land and the privileges we so profoundly cherish.
Continuous and unscrupulous exploitation of the Second Amendment's provisions has engendered a
grim reality: a senseless cascade of profound injuries, lifelong disabilities, and untimely deaths
sidelining the intrinsic right to life
in favor of unrestrained firearm accessibility. Our government, which embodies the spirit and will of its citizens, must be spurred to reclaim the true essence of the Second Amendment: fostering a "well-regulated militia” conducive to responsible firearm ownership. The vast majority of citizens agree the current state of gun ownership has strayed perilously far from this directive: 65% of Americans support stricter gun laws, and 67% of Americans support stricter regulation of firearms sales (CBS News poll/margin of error of +/- 4%; March 2018).
Our current trajectory in ever-heightened security measures (“the answer to guns is more guns”) threatens to engender a dystopian reality where every facet of public life is overshadowed by the looming presence of armed guards, armored vehicles, security fences, and intrusive surveillance. A
grim future
wherein
our liberties are sacrificed
and the firearm reigns supreme.
Provisional CDC reports from 2022 illustrate an alarming trend where firearms have emerged as the leading cause of death in children for three consecutive years. This grim statistic rings an urgent alarm, urging us to act:
the sanctity of life, our primary unalienable right delineated in the Declaration of Independence, is under siege.
Our governing structures, designed to safeguard our liberties and champion our wellbeing have faltered, leaving our youngest and most vulnerable exposed to unimaginable dangers.
Our foundational texts empower us, We the People, to usher in change when governance fails to uphold our intrinsic rights. This clarion call must resonate with every citizen.
The responsibility weighs heavily on our collective conscience.
Now is the moment for cohesive, deliberate action. We must galvanize our elected representatives to institute sensible, urgently needed “well-regulated” gun ownership reforms without delay.
Historically in our role as medical professionals, we have collaborated with government agencies to curb the spread of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS. Today, our nation requires an equal resurgence of resilience and unity to counteract this
plague of gun violence. We stand ready to join forces with all sectors of government to
arrest this epidemic.
In the spirit of unity and faith, we entreat
wisdom and strength in moral courage
to prevail upon our great nation.
God Bless America.
~
Authored: January 2023
Dr. Stella Legarda
President, California Neurology Society
