Summit Addresses Gun Violence Reduction
Since 2000, firearm incidents have resulted in over 800,000 fatalities and more than 2 million injuries across the United States. In March, numerous experts gathered in Chicago for the JAMA Summit on Reducing Firearm Violence and Harms to formulate strategies for decreasing these numbers.
The November 3 report indicates that 60 professionals from various fields participated in this inaugural medical journal event. Attendees included emergency doctors, public health researchers, mental health specialists, historians, and social service providers. Their goal was to create a detailed plan for significantly lowering shooting casualties within the next 15 years.
"We've accumulated substantial evidence and can identify several measures that appear to lessen gun violence, yet numerous unknowns and obstacles remain," stated Daniel Webster, a Johns Hopkins University public health researcher with three decades of experience in this area.
In recent years, gun violence has gained recognition as a critical public health concern, receiving increased attention and government resources. In 2024, Dr. Vivek Murthy, then U.S. Surgeon General, issued the first official advisory about the extensive impacts of firearm violence, boosting prevention initiatives.
However, since Donald Trump resumed the presidency, many advancements have been reversed. Staff reductions at the CDC have severely affected the division dedicated to studying and preventing shootings, while federal support for research and community projects has diminished.
According to the report, summit participants advocated for a "research revolution" on preventing firearm-related injuries as one of five essential measures to enhance public safety by 2040. Additional priorities involved reinforcing communities, redefining gun injuries as preventable, adopting comprehensive governmental and societal strategies, and responsibly utilizing regulatory and technological advancements.
Dr. Stephen Hargarten, an emergency physician and Wisconsin medical professor, has focused his work on how innovation can decrease firearm fatalities. He discussed the firearm lethality index, a new tool for assessing the dangerousness of various weapons and ammunition, which could aid policymakers in tailoring responses to different threat levels.
"We aimed to examine how technologies and innovations influence suicide rates, homicides, and gun thefts," Hargarten explained, noting the potential role of smart guns in reducing harm. He also described how Congress could authorize federal regulators to mandate specific safety features in firearms, stating, "Currently, they lack oversight, and we believe that requires examination."
The summit report highlights several research-backed methods for reducing firearm deaths, such as gun regulations, community intervention initiatives, environmental modifications, alcohol policies, economic measures, and law enforcement approaches.
Although homicide rates have dropped in the past two years, public perception often incorrectly suggests rising crime. The report stresses the need for better research and communication to address these misunderstandings. Nick Wilson, a summit attendee and gun violence prevention director at the Center for American Progress, described this as a difficult period for public health advocates.
"The summit reinforced my confidence that we will overcome these challenges and strengthen our institutions," Wilson remarked. "It will help garner support for future federal measures by showcasing effective solutions."
