gun cult ideologies above children ’ s lives . Do you know your own legislators ’ NRA ratings ?
Now is the time to reorder Kentucky ’ s priorities and pass sensible gun violence prevention legislation . The following five elements are key steps that require legislative action :
1 . Ban assault ( semiautomatic ) rifles ( e . g ., AR15 , AK47 , M16s ) and killing enhancement modifications , including high-capacity magazines , rapid-fire increasers ( e . g . “ bump stocks ”), silencers and guns without serial numbers ( e . g . “ ghost ” and 3-D printed guns ). Victim numbers are increased six-fold , when assault rifles with expanded magazines are used .
2 . Require background checks without loopholes , plus waiting periods and safety training ( including storage and handling around children ) on all firearm transfers ( store , internet , gun-show purchases , lending and gifts ).
3 . Establish Extreme Risk Protective Orders (“ Red Flag ” laws ) to disarm persons who pose risks of gun violence to self or others .
4 . Repeal KRS 65.870 , which prohibits local community governments from enacting gun violence control laws to protect their local citizens .
5 . Repeal 2023 HB 153 ( the so-called “ Second Amendment Sanctuary law ”) that prohibits enforcements of federal gun violence control measures in Kentucky .
Recent actions of the Kentucky legislature predict strong opposition to these common-sense measures . Nevertheless , physicians and their representative organizations must fearlessly lead this life-saving public health initiative , without hesitancy or fear of reprisals . The public and legislators must know clearly where we stand , even if slow to heed our call . To paraphrase ancient Chinese sage , Lao Tzu , “ A difficult journey begins with one step .” These common-sense measures are that step .
A society that fails to protect the health and safety of its children has lost its moral compass and abandoned its core values . Our children and our American heritage deserve our full and immediate commitment to ending gun violence .
References
1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , CDC WONDER database . About underlying cause of death , 1999-2020 . Accessed February 2 , 2023 . http :// wonder . cdc . gov / ucd-icd10 . html
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , CDC WONDER database . About provisional mortality statistics , 2018 through last month . Accessed February 2 , 2023 . http :// wonder . cdc . gov / mcd-icd10-provisional . html
3
Goldstick JE , Cunningham RM , Carter PM . Current causes of death in children and adolescents in the United States . N . Engl J Med . 2022 ; 386 ( 20 ): 1955-1956
4
Lee LK , Douglas K , Hemenway D . Crossing lines-a change in the leading cause of death among U . S . children . N Engl J Med . 2022 ; 386 ( 16 ): 1485-1487
5
Gramlich J . Gun Deaths among U . S . children and teens rose 50 % in two years . Pew Research Center . https :// www . pewresearch . org / short-reads / 2023 / 04 / 06 / gun-deaths-among-us-kids-rose-50-percent-in-two-years /
Dr . Tobin is a professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , Department of Surgery , Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery . He practices with UofL Physicians – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery .
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