The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reportedly removes a webpage containing an advisory from former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, which identified gun violence as a public health crisis. This advisory, issued in June 2024, called for an evidence-based public health response and included recommendations for banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. The removal comes in compliance with a recent executive order from President Trump aimed at protecting Second Amendment rights, sparking debate over the administration’s priorities regarding firearm safety.
Critics of the HHS decision, including the gun violence prevention group GIFFORDS, argue that eliminating this essential advisory undermines public health efforts and prioritizes gun industry interests over the safety of children and families. Gun-related injuries have become the leading cause of death among U.S. children and adolescents, underscoring the significance of Murthy’s recommendations that garnered support from multiple national medical organizations. As the current webpage now displays a “Page Not Found” message, calls for accountability and a review of gun safety policies are intensifying.
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