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SAN FRANCISCO – The American College of Physicians plans to issue an exhaustive, evidence-based review of firearms policy and gun violence later this year.
The current policies are "a little dated," so "we’re going through an evidence-based review on firearms policy and gun violence [to] come up with more contemporary recommendations," said Dr. David L. Bronson, immediate past president of the ACP.
"We are aware that firearms are part of the American culture, and this can be a divisive issue for this country and for some of our members," said Dr. Bronson at the annual meeting of the ACP. He said that’s one reason why the college will take an evidence-based approach to formulating its new recommendations.
The college plans to issue a series of policy recommendations for state, local, and federal agencies, and for the medical and public health communities, noted Bob Doherty, ACP’s senior vice president for governmental affairs and public policy.
To get those recommendations, the ACP will analyze peer-reviewed literature on the causes and effects of firearm injuries and death, and on the effectiveness of various policy interventions to reduce preventable injuries and deaths, said Mr. Doherty.
It will be a multifaceted statement, "looking not only at laws on access to firearms and ammunition, but also public health interventions, mental health, substance abuse, culture, video games that simulate gun violence, and other contributing factors – as well as the role of physicians in asking patients about firearms and counseling them on how to reduce the risks," he said.
The ACP last reviewed evidence on gun violence in 1996.
Even as the ACP reformulates its policy recommendations, a bill aimed at preventing gun violence failed to pass the Senate April 17. The Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 (S. 649) was introduced March 21 by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and was supported by the ACP. The college wrote to Sen. Reid April 5 stating that it backed the bill’s provisions to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), require a background check for every firearm sale, and to levy stricter penalties for "straw man" purchases of guns.
The bill did not, however, include a ban on assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, which the ACP would like to see, said Mr. Doherty.
Even if the Senate tries again to pass gun violence legislation, the House has not yet indicated whether it would take up any such bill that the Senate might pass. In any case, a gun violence bill would face a tougher road in the House, Mr. Doherty said. First, it would have to go through the House Judiciary Committee, "which is very conservative," he said. To pass the full House, a proposal would need the support of almost all Democrats and at least a few Republicans, he said.
"We are going to just keep pushing it and hope we prevail," said Mr. Doherty.
Dr. Bronson noted that opponents of proposals to rein in firearms may also find ways to reassert their rights and desires in legislation unrelated to gun violence. "You have to keep your eye on the ball," he said, adding, "they have a relentless lobby."
On Twitter @aliciaault
SAN FRANCISCO – The American College of Physicians plans to issue an exhaustive, evidence-based review of firearms policy and gun violence later this year.
The current policies are "a little dated," so "we’re going through an evidence-based review on firearms policy and gun violence [to] come up with more contemporary recommendations," said Dr. David L. Bronson, immediate past president of the ACP.
"We are aware that firearms are part of the American culture, and this can be a divisive issue for this country and for some of our members," said Dr. Bronson at the annual meeting of the ACP. He said that’s one reason why the college will take an evidence-based approach to formulating its new recommendations.
The college plans to issue a series of policy recommendations for state, local, and federal agencies, and for the medical and public health communities, noted Bob Doherty, ACP’s senior vice president for governmental affairs and public policy.
To get those recommendations, the ACP will analyze peer-reviewed literature on the causes and effects of firearm injuries and death, and on the effectiveness of various policy interventions to reduce preventable injuries and deaths, said Mr. Doherty.
It will be a multifaceted statement, "looking not only at laws on access to firearms and ammunition, but also public health interventions, mental health, substance abuse, culture, video games that simulate gun violence, and other contributing factors – as well as the role of physicians in asking patients about firearms and counseling them on how to reduce the risks," he said.
The ACP last reviewed evidence on gun violence in 1996.
Even as the ACP reformulates its policy recommendations, a bill aimed at preventing gun violence failed to pass the Senate April 17. The Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 (S. 649) was introduced March 21 by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and was supported by the ACP. The college wrote to Sen. Reid April 5 stating that it backed the bill’s provisions to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), require a background check for every firearm sale, and to levy stricter penalties for "straw man" purchases of guns.
The bill did not, however, include a ban on assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, which the ACP would like to see, said Mr. Doherty.
Even if the Senate tries again to pass gun violence legislation, the House has not yet indicated whether it would take up any such bill that the Senate might pass. In any case, a gun violence bill would face a tougher road in the House, Mr. Doherty said. First, it would have to go through the House Judiciary Committee, "which is very conservative," he said. To pass the full House, a proposal would need the support of almost all Democrats and at least a few Republicans, he said.
"We are going to just keep pushing it and hope we prevail," said Mr. Doherty.
Dr. Bronson noted that opponents of proposals to rein in firearms may also find ways to reassert their rights and desires in legislation unrelated to gun violence. "You have to keep your eye on the ball," he said, adding, "they have a relentless lobby."
On Twitter @aliciaault
SAN FRANCISCO – The American College of Physicians plans to issue an exhaustive, evidence-based review of firearms policy and gun violence later this year.
The current policies are "a little dated," so "we’re going through an evidence-based review on firearms policy and gun violence [to] come up with more contemporary recommendations," said Dr. David L. Bronson, immediate past president of the ACP.
"We are aware that firearms are part of the American culture, and this can be a divisive issue for this country and for some of our members," said Dr. Bronson at the annual meeting of the ACP. He said that’s one reason why the college will take an evidence-based approach to formulating its new recommendations.
The college plans to issue a series of policy recommendations for state, local, and federal agencies, and for the medical and public health communities, noted Bob Doherty, ACP’s senior vice president for governmental affairs and public policy.
To get those recommendations, the ACP will analyze peer-reviewed literature on the causes and effects of firearm injuries and death, and on the effectiveness of various policy interventions to reduce preventable injuries and deaths, said Mr. Doherty.
It will be a multifaceted statement, "looking not only at laws on access to firearms and ammunition, but also public health interventions, mental health, substance abuse, culture, video games that simulate gun violence, and other contributing factors – as well as the role of physicians in asking patients about firearms and counseling them on how to reduce the risks," he said.
The ACP last reviewed evidence on gun violence in 1996.
Even as the ACP reformulates its policy recommendations, a bill aimed at preventing gun violence failed to pass the Senate April 17. The Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 (S. 649) was introduced March 21 by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and was supported by the ACP. The college wrote to Sen. Reid April 5 stating that it backed the bill’s provisions to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), require a background check for every firearm sale, and to levy stricter penalties for "straw man" purchases of guns.
The bill did not, however, include a ban on assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, which the ACP would like to see, said Mr. Doherty.
Even if the Senate tries again to pass gun violence legislation, the House has not yet indicated whether it would take up any such bill that the Senate might pass. In any case, a gun violence bill would face a tougher road in the House, Mr. Doherty said. First, it would have to go through the House Judiciary Committee, "which is very conservative," he said. To pass the full House, a proposal would need the support of almost all Democrats and at least a few Republicans, he said.
"We are going to just keep pushing it and hope we prevail," said Mr. Doherty.
Dr. Bronson noted that opponents of proposals to rein in firearms may also find ways to reassert their rights and desires in legislation unrelated to gun violence. "You have to keep your eye on the ball," he said, adding, "they have a relentless lobby."
On Twitter @aliciaault
AT ACP iNTERNAL MEDICINE 2013
