The 25,000 physicians and students who comprise the Massachusetts Medical Society applaud the leadership and urgency demonstrated by Sen. Warren and her proposal of the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act. On behalf of our patients and patients
across the nation whose lives are forever changed or cut short by jarring, brutal yet preventable firearm-related injuries, we support this legislation, which aligns with our extensive listing of firearm violence-related policies intended to keep
our patients safe.
With 40,000 deaths each year, it is past time to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic with a comprehensive public health approach, including a substantial, thoughtful and sustained investment in research of the causes and prevention of firearm violence.
Our patients have benefited from scientific research that fueled evidence-based solutions and greatly improved outcomes for those affected by other public health crises - from tobacco to HIV and AIDs to cancer and deaths and injuries from automobile
accidents.
We look forward to continuing work with legislators on addressing this public health crisis and urge them to be cognizant of the irrefutable fact that actions that can protect our patients from injury and death cannot wait.
-Maryanne C. Bombaugh, MD, MSc, MBA, FACOG, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
