The American Medical Association (AMA) has expressed strong support for the recent advisory issued by the Office of the Surgeon General on firearm violence. The AMA emphasizes that physicians across the United States regularly witness the devastating physical and emotional impacts of firearm violence on patients and their families.

"Across the country, physicians everywhere treat patients and families afflicted by firearm violence. We see the physical and emotional harm firsthand, and we dread the too-often conversations with parents, spouses, and even children in which we tell them their loved one did not make it. Firearm violence is indeed a public health crisis in the United States, and the data now show it touches the majority of Americans. We applaud the Office of the Surgeon General for issuing this advisory and for outlining an evidence-based public health approach to addressing firearm violence," stated an AMA representative.

Over more than two decades, the AMA has formulated numerous policy recommendations aimed at reducing firearm-related trauma, injury, and death. These policies include:

- Improving data quality, comparability, and timeliness on firearm injuries and deaths.

- Supporting federal and state research on firearm-related injuries and deaths.

- Promoting physician counseling on firearm safety with patients.

- Distributing firearm safety materials in clinical settings.

- Supporting evidence-based firearm violence interruption programs in communities, schools, hospitals, and clinics.

- Making secure firearm storage devices accessible.

- Supporting child access prevention laws.

- Recognizing firearms' role in suicide and encouraging lethal means safety counseling.

- Supporting extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to remove firearms when there is a high or imminent risk for violence.

- Prohibiting persons under domestic violence restraining orders or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes or stalking from possessing or purchasing firearms.

- Supporting a waiting period and background check for all firearm purchasers.

- Requiring licensing/permitting of firearms owners/purchasers including completion of a required safety course, along with registration of all firearms.

- Banning sale/ownership of assault weapons/high-capacity magazines.

- Advocating for firearm safety features including smart technology to reduce accidental discharge or misappropriation by non-registered users.

The AMA declared firearm-related violence a public health crisis in 2016 due to its status as one of the leading causes of intentional and unintentional injuries and deaths in America. The organization has also developed resources to assist physicians in addressing these issues effectively. This includes a continuing medical education (CME) module designed to help physicians recognize risk factors related to firearms injury/death while communicating effectively with patients.

In 2022, recognizing ongoing concerns about gun-related incidents, AMA’s House of Delegates adopted a policy establishing a task force focused on preventing such injuries. This task force comprises physician leaders from national medical societies alongside liaison representatives from federal agencies aiming to enhance collaboration around evidence-based strategies for preventing gun-related injuries.