The Issue
Firearm-related injuries and deaths remain a significant public health challenge in Massachusetts and across the United States.
Physicians see the impact through trauma, mental health crises, suicide risk, and long-term community harm.
Key facts:
- Nearly 49,000 Americans die from firearm-related injuries each year
- More than half of firearm deaths are suicides
- Massachusetts experiences approximately 255 firearm-related deaths and 688 injuries annually
- Firearm violence disproportionately affects youth and historically underserved communities
Preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths requires evidence-based public health policies, physician education, and community-based prevention efforts.
MMS Position
The Massachusetts Medical Society supports evidence-based policies that reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths while protecting the physician-patient relationship.
MMS advocates for:
- Strong firearm safety laws and background checks
- Safe firearm storage education and prevention efforts
- Research on firearm injury prevention and public health interventions
- Physician-led counseling and education on firearm safety
- Suicide prevention initiatives that reduce access to lethal means during periods of crisis
Goal: Reduce preventable firearm injuries and deaths and improve patient and community safety.
MMS Advocacy
MMS works at both the state and federal levels to advance policies that prevent firearm-related injuries and save lives.
Current advocacy efforts include:
Firearm Injury Prevention
MMS supports policies that:
- Promote responsible firearm ownership and safe storage practices
- Strengthen evidence-based firearm safety measures
- Improve public health approaches to violence prevention
- Expand access to suicide prevention resources
Physician Education and Public Awareness
MMS advances prevention efforts through:
- Partnerships with public health and community organizations
- Physician education on firearm safety and suicide prevention
- Resources that support patient counseling and risk assessment
- Ongoing engagement with policymakers on firearm injury prevention strategies
Why This Matters to Physicians
Firearm-related injuries and deaths affect patients across all communities and medical specialties.
Physicians are often caring for:
- Patients experiencing trauma and violence-related injuries
- Individuals at risk for suicide
- Families coping with the long-term effects of firearm-related harm
- Communities impacted by violence and behavioral health challenges
Reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths can improve patient outcomes, strengthen community health, and support prevention efforts across the continuum of care.
This is about helping physicians protect patients through prevention, education, and evidence-based public policy.
Take Action
Support Firearm Injury Prevention
Join MMS advocacy efforts to advance evidence-based policies that reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths across Massachusetts.
Become an MMS member and strengthen the physician
voice advocating for safer, healthier communities.
