More Doctors Are Talking About Gun Violence

[SecularMotion]

The American Academy of Pediatrics has long advised that "the safest home for a child is a home without guns, and if there is a gun in the home, it must be stored unloaded and locked, with the ammunition locked separately."

They aren't the only health professionals advocating to protect our kids from gun violence though.

In a new editorial that will be published in the February issue of Pediatrics, "Firearms, Children, and Health Care Professionals," the American Pediatric Surgical Association, a professional organization made up of over 1200 surgeons who care for children, being at the front lines when children go to the emergency rooms with gun shot injuries:

http://pediatrics.about.com/b/2014/02/04/more-doctors-are-talking-about-gun-violence.htm

[DonP]

1. Mine sure is, he signed up for my CCW and Basic Pistol course

Along with his wife and several others from the clinic he works out of.

We'll be doing the classroom portion after hours and the qualification at a local range.

So I guess you're right, doctors are interested in guns and knowing how to use them safely and responsibly..

[SecularMotion]

2. Your doctor is a pediatrician?

Maybe his views will change when he reads the report next month.

[DonP]

3. He's a GP, Pediatrics are part of his practice

Maybe he will change his mind?

After investing 16 hours and $$$ in training for his wife and adult children and a few thousand $ for his wife and his firearm, plus additional range time - he'll suddenly, magically change his mind about being a willing victim for every dung heap that thinks all doctors are rich, have access to unlimited drugs and are non-violent.

Just one more slanted article will do it.

Just like that guy you posted about, that "left the NRA" will surely cause others to leave the organization any minute ... ignoring the 750,000 new members in the last year and the massive increase in new gun sales to new gun owners in Illinois. 200,000 new FOID cards just since last Summer.

"The Tide Has Turned!" Yup, it sure has.

[Bazinga]

5. Three of the five founders of the Utah Defensive Pistol League...

Worked at the University of Utah Hospital emergency department. I got to meet a couple of them, really nice guys and great doctors.

[sarisataka]

4. It seems the author is a bit ambivalent

They end their statement by talking about shifting "the paradigm from efforts to live in a world without guns to ensuring we can live safely in a world with guns." That confuses me, as few gun safety advocates are actually talking about taking away everyone's guns.

I don't see the confusion as some do discuss bans, taking all guns etc. It more acknowledges the real world situation that there are guns in this country and will continue to be forever on some level. Reality based action seems better than fantasy based wishing.

I prefer the way they ended their full policy statement, in which they state that the American Pediatric Surgical Association "believes that inaction is irrational and indefensible. This organization strongly supports the continuation of legislative, public health and policy recommendations detailed above in an effort to reduce the impact of gun violence on our children and youth."

IMO it is the same statement. Is mentioning that guns do exist and some people own them so offensive?

As a supporter of gun rights, I don't see the conflict in the summary statements. Of the ten bullet points, I fully support seven, reservedly two others and only oppose one as having been proven ineffective.