US official sees serious danger "Gun violence is a public health crisis"

dpa

25.6.2024 - 21:26

Firearms on sale at a gun store in the US. The top US health official has declared gun violence in the US a public health crisis. (symbolic image)
Firearms on sale at a gun store in the US. The top US health official has declared gun violence in the US a public health crisis. (symbolic image)
Bild: Andrew Selsky/AP

Around 50,000 people die from gun violence in the US every year, and the top US health official has declared it a public health crisis.

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  • Around 50,000 people die from guns in the US every year, according to health officials.
  • Among children and adolescents, gun injuries are now the leading cause of death.
  • The top health official has now declared gun violence a public health crisis.

The top U.S. health official has declared gun violence in the U.S. a public health crisis. "Gun violence is a public health crisis in the U.S. that poses a serious threat to our health and the well-being of our country," Vivek Murthy said Tuesday.

Many children and young people die

According to health authorities, around 50,000 people in the USA die every year from injuries caused by guns - either self-inflicted or inflicted by others. Among children and young people, gun-related injuries are now the most common cause of death.

Murthy recommends counteracting this with more money for research and stricter laws on the purchase and storage of weapons, among other things. However, political opposition to this has been immense in recent years, particularly from Republicans.