In a historic proclamation, the U.S. surgeon general officially designated firearm violence as a critical public health crisis within the nation on Tuesday.

Dr. Vivek Murthy underscored in his advisory that firearm violence not only exacts a devastating physical toll but also inflicts profound mental and emotional wounds across American communities. This momentous recognition marks the first instance where the nation’s foremost public health authority has squarely confronted the issue of guns in this capacity.

"As a physician, I have witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences of firearm violence in the lives of patients I have cared for over the years. These are individuals—mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters—whose physical and mental well-being has been shattered by senseless acts of violence," Murthy emphasized in a video released on Tuesday.

The comprehensive 40-page advisory highlighted that in 2022 alone, firearm-related deaths soared to a nearly three-decade peak, totaling 48,204 fatalities due to injuries stemming from suicides, homicides, and accidental incidents. Shockingly, over half of these deaths—56.1%—resulted from suicides, while approximately 40% were attributed to homicides, as detailed in the report.

Murthy also stressed that a significant segment of the U.S. adult population, approximately 54%, reported direct exposure to firearm-related incidents, encompassing personal threats, injuries, witnessing shootings, or experiencing the devastating loss of a family member to gun violence. The burden of gun violence disproportionately affects specific communities, with Black individuals experiencing the highest rates of firearm homicides, and veterans, older white individuals, and younger American Indian and Alaska Native people facing elevated suicide rates.

Of great concern is the impact on children and adolescents, with firearm violence tragically emerging as the leading cause of death in this demographic since 2020, surpassing fatalities from car accidents, drug overdoses, and cancer.

"I have sat with grieving parents who have lost their children to firearm violence. I have listened to their heartbreaking stories and shared in their anguish as they described the unimaginable pain of losing a child. As a father myself, I understand that there is no greater nightmare for a parent than feeling unable to protect their child from harm," Murthy lamented.

However, the surgeon general's advisory immediately encountered backlash from the National Rifle Association (NRA), which denounced it as part of the Biden Administration’s ongoing assault on law-abiding gun owners.

“This declaration is yet another front in the Biden Administration’s relentless campaign against law-abiding gun owners,” Randy Kozuch, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, asserted in a strongly worded response.

The United States' elevated rate of firearm-related deaths starkly contrasts with other high-income nations, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization revealing an alarming rate 11.4 times higher than that of 28 peer nations.

Beyond its physical toll, firearm violence exacts a profound toll on mental and emotional health. The advisory highlighted that mothers exposed to community shootings are up to 60% more likely to experience depression. Siblings of young victims of firearm violence exhibit a 2.3-fold increase in psychiatric disorders, while mothers and fathers face even higher risks, with respective increases of 3.6-fold and 5.3-fold.

Additionally, over half of American teenagers aged 14 to 17 express significant concerns about the potential occurrence of a shooting at their school or a nearby educational institution.

The advisory advocates for a comprehensive public health approach to tackle gun violence, akin to successful strategies used in addressing tobacco-related diseases and reducing motor vehicle accidents in the past. Key recommendations include heightened federal funding for firearm violence research, community-based interventions, and educational initiatives. It also calls for health systems to regularly engage in discussions on safe firearm storage with patients during routine medical visits.

Moreover, the advisory urges policymakers to enact legislation promoting safe firearm storage practices, universal background checks, bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines for civilian use, expanded mental health services, and the implementation of effective firearm removal policies under extreme risk protection orders and domestic violence protection orders.

While several states have enacted robust gun control laws, federal efforts have often faced significant opposition. Organizations like the Giffords Law Center, which monitors state gun laws, argue that stronger regulations correlate with decreased gun deaths.

“A public health approach can guide our strategy and actions, as it has effectively done in previous efforts to combat tobacco-related diseases and motor vehicle accidents. It is incumbent upon us to confront this generational challenge with the urgency and clarity demanded by the current moment,” the advisory concluded. “The safety and well-being of our children and future generations are at stake.”

The surgeon general's advisory garnered praise from major health organizations and lawmakers alike, with the American Public Health Association welcoming the report and urging concerted action to end the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities. The American College of Surgeons also voiced staunch support, aligning its principles closely with decades of dedicated work in the field.

Conversely, Gun Owners of America, a nonprofit advocacy group defending the Second Amendment, accused Murthy of exceeding his authority in issuing the declaration.

Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois echoed sentiments shared by many lawmakers, asserting that the report solidifies what has long been known and calling for legislative measures to address the crisis. Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost of Florida emphasized the urgent need for Congress to adopt a public health approach to prevent further harm and trauma inflicted by the epidemic of gun violence.

Tuesday's landmark declaration follows Murthy's earlier call for Congress to mandate tobacco-style warnings on social media platforms, highlighting their role in exacerbating the mental health crisis among young people. He emphasized that such warnings would alert users to potential mental health risks associated with frequent use of websites and apps.

As the nation grapples with the profound impact of firearm violence, the surgeon general's advisory signifies a crucial step toward addressing this pressing public health crisis and safeguarding the well-being of future generations.