Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared gun violence in the United States a public health crisis this week, putting himself at the center of a fierce partisan debate over gun control.
Democrats praised the move, which marked the first time a U.S. surgeon general has issued a public health advisory on gun violence, but gun rights groups slammed the nation’s top doctor.
“U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s declaration that ‘gun violence’ is a ‘public health crisis’ is nothing more than election-year politicking in a white coat,” the National Shooting Sports Foundation said in a press release.
Senator Mike Braun (R-Indiana) It is called He called the action an “unconstitutional expansion of power” and noted that during Murthy’s 2021 confirmation hearing, he said gun control would not be his “focus” as Surgeon General.
“Today, the Mercy Surgeon General abused his power and attempted to target the Second Amendment,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-Va.). Said Regarding X. “This is yet another attack by the Biden Administration on your constitutional right to bear arms, and we will not tolerate this.”
Murthy said he wants to raise awareness about how serious gun violence has become and propose policy measures to reduce the frequency and impact of incidents.
Democrats and public health groups welcomed the news.
“This epidemic has ravaged communities, robbed families of loved ones, and isolated us from the world,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). I said it with X.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) I have written“Gun violence is a public health crisis and I am pleased to see the Surgeon General take this action. The health and safety of children should not be a partisan issue.”
Stephen Farr, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, praised the move, saying doctors “have long understood the devastating impact gun violence has on our patients and the communities we serve.”
“The impacts of gun violence extend beyond physical health and safety to mental health and economic impacts,” he added.
While gun control groups have condemned the decision, many Republicans have remained silent about Murthy’s move. Major recipients of pro-gun control campaign donations – Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) – have all remained silent since the announcement, and their offices did not respond to requests for comment from The Hill.
In a statement to The Hill, Rep. Elise Stefanik (D-NY) called Governor Mursi’s announcement a “false public health declaration” intended to “deprive law-abiding Americans of their constitutional right to bear arms.”
Stewart Verderly, CEO of the nonpartisan lobbying firm Monument Advocacy, speculated that some gun control advocates in Congress have not commented because “the Surgeon General has an air of independence and credibility.”
“It’s not like taking on politicians,” added Verdery, a former undersecretary for policy planning at the Department of Homeland Security.
Verdery said Murthy’s proposals could still figure in the race. Gun control is not a top issue in the race, but Verdery said its “second-tier” status could change at any time.
“Unfortunately, it only takes one incident, one mass shooting or something like that to put us back on the front page,” he said.
He said Thursday’s debate could highlight major divides between the candidates on gun control, especially if Biden’s “full support for gun control” contrasts with Trump, who has “moved significantly to the right on these issues.”
Murthy’s office argues that the proposal is based on available data and the shared experiences of many Americans.
“The Surgeon General is an independent agency that draws attention to significant public health issues based on scientific evidence, and Dr. Mursi has long been concerned about the impact of gun violence on the health and well-being of Americans,” a spokesperson for the Surgeon General said in a statement to The Hill.
“As Surgeon General, he has met with young people across the country and has found that in recent years, children, teens, their parents and others have consistently cited gun violence as a source of trauma and concern,” they added.
On its own, the declaration does little beyond raising awareness of the problem of gun violence, and as Mursi said, any action would have to be taken by Congress.
“These are the broad strategies we have presented. The details of the bill will be worked out by Congress,” Mursi told The Hill.
Governor Murthy’s recommendations include expanding universal background checks for gun purchases to include private sales and gifts, banning civilians from owning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and treating guns like consumer products by requiring gun safety regulations and warning labels detailing the dangers of guns.
Daniel Webster, distinguished fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Solutions to Gun Violence, called the declaration on gun violence a “big deal.”
“I think it plays a really powerful role in articulating and portraying with data how significant an impact gun violence is having on our public health and safety,” he said.
Webster acknowledged that Murthy had tried to position his proposal as apolitical, but said all gun policies are inherently political.
“My view is that anything to do with guns is a political issue and we have to accept that and acknowledge that,” he said.
“I think this report will galvanize advocates, stakeholders and some policymakers to take action and give them concrete guidance on what they can and should do. But I think people on the other side of the political spectrum will ignore parts of this report.”
Katie Poynter Baney, executive director of the National Concealed Carry Association’s Lifesaving Action Fund, said Murthy’s move will galvanize gun rights advocates ahead of November.
“We are currently working to mobilize a grassroots voter registration drive to ensure voices from across America are heard, and political attacks like these against gun owners will only make them more engaged during election season,” she said in a statement.
