AAMC Message on Gun Violence.........

[SirIsaacNewton]

We all don't think this way.

January 8, 2013

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:
The undersigned medical organizations, together representing the vast majority of practicing physicians and medical students in the United States, share the nation’s grief and sadness over the recent tragic school shootings in Connecticut. As physicians, we see first-hand the devastating consequences of gun violence to victims and their families. We offer our experience and expertise in finding workable, common sense solutions to reduce the epidemic of gun violence—indeed the overall culture of violence—in America. We also urge the nation to strengthen its commitment and resources to comprehensive access to mental health services, including screening, prevention, and treatment.
The investigation into the Connecticut shootings is still continuing, and the issues surrounding such violence are often complex and can vary significantly from case to case. Strategies for preventing gun-related tragedies must also be complex and carefully considered. The relatively easy access to the increased firepower of assault weapons, semi-automatic firearms, high-capacity magazines, and high-velocity ammunition heightens the risk of multiple gunshot wounds and severe penetrating trauma, resulting in more critical injuries and deaths. Even for those who manage to survive gun violence involving these weapons, the severity and lasting impact of their wounds, disabilities and treatment leads to devastating consequences for families affected and society, and contributes to high medical costs for treatment and recovery. Renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban, including banning high-capacity magazines, would be a step in the right direction.
Many of the deaths and injuries resulting from firearms are preventable. More resources are needed for safety education programs that promote more responsible use and storage of firearms. Physicians need to be able to have frank discussions with their patients and parents of patients about firearm safety issues and risks to help them safeguard their families from accidents. While the overwhelming majority of patients with mental illness are not violent, physicians and other health professionals must be trained to respond to those who have a mental illness that might make them more prone to commit violence. Funding needs to be available for increased research on violence prevention in general, and on the epidemiology of gun-related injuries and deaths in particular, as well as to implement available evidence-based interventions. Of equal importance is providing sufficient access to mental health services. While we strongly supported the passage of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008, unfortunately, the promise of better access to psychiatric treatment will not be a reality absent requisite federal and state funding. This effort should be combined with an education campaign that reduces the stigma of seeking mental health services.
Newtown, Connecticut has now been added to the sad litany of recent mass shootings, including Columbine, Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Arizona, and Aurora. As we come together as a nation to mourn the most recent victims of senseless gun violence, we must make a real and lasting commitment to work together on meaningful solutions to prevent future tragedies. We stand ready to work with Congress and the Administration to make progress in protecting our communities, especially our children, from this epidemic of violence.

Sincerely,
American Medical Association
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Pain Medicine
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine
American College of Emergency Physicians
American College of Mohs Surgery
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
American College of Osteopathic Internists
American College of Phlebology
American College of Physicians
American College of Preventive Medicine
American College of Radiology
American College of Surgeons
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Geriatrics Society
American Osteopathic Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Society for Clinical Pathology
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Association of American Medical Colleges
College of American Pathologists
North American Spine Society
Renal Physicians Association
Society of Critical Care Medicine
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
California Medical Association
Colorado Medical Society
Connecticut State Medical Society
Medical Society of Delaware
Medical Society of the District of Columbia
Illinois State Medical Society
Maine Medical Association
The Maryland State Medical Society
Massachusetts Medical Society
Michigan State Medical Society
Minnesota Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association
Nevada State Medical Association
Medical Society of New Jersey
New Mexico Medical Society
Oklahoma State Medical Association
Oregon Medical Association
Rhode Island Medical Society
South Dakota State Medical Association
Tennessee Medical Association
Texas Medical Association
Vermont Medical Society
Medical Society of Virginia
Washington State Medical Association
Wisconsin Medical Society

 

[general mills]

I'm confused, are you saying "Renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban, including banning high-capacity magazines, would be a step in the right direction"?

 

[Emperor]

"Renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban, including banning high-capacity magazines, would be a step in the right direction."

Well Sir Isaac, I am glad to see that these medical communities understand the complexities of social policies as well. Other than their medical opinion, I would think this^ part just slightly went off target.

 

[SirIsaacNewton]

I'm confused, are you saying "Renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban, including banning high-capacity magazines, would be a step in the right direction"?

I meant to put an eyes rolling smile after my post (Corrected). I meant to show that the Ivory Tower elitists control these organizations and are not representative of every member of the medical community including its students.

 

[oleheat]

Notice how they said they believe the AWB would be a step in the right direction.

Care to to guess as to what those little steps eventually lead to?

 

[buzzworm]

How many people do doctors kill each year? Maybe the AAMC should look to their own short comings before looking at others.
Oh yea, and don't forget the "more funding" notes. "more funding" will fix anything, right?

 

[general mills]

I meant to put an eyes rolling smile after my post (Corrected). I meant to show that the Ivory Tower elitists control these organizations and are not representative of every member of the medical community including its students.

OK. I understand now. not trying to say you don't have a right to your own opinion or anythting, but the way I read your first post, it seemed a unique point of view on this forum.

 

[SirIsaacNewton]

OK. I understand now. not trying to say you don't have a right to your own opinion or anythting, but the way I read your first post, it seemed a unique point of view on this forum.

LOL The way I wrote it made no sense whatsoever. I appreciate the comment so I could adjust it.

 

[Sin-ster]

I assume you're included in at least one of those organizations listed at the bottom...

Did they consult with/poll you guys before determining that "the vast majority" all felt that way?

Misrepresentation much?

 

[The_Shadow]

Medical think they know best!...

(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is
700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians
per year are
120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician
is 0.171

Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of
Health and Human Services.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Now think about this:
Guns
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S.
is
80,000,000.

(Yes, that's 80 million)

(B) The number of accidental gun deaths
per year, all age groups,
is 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths
per gun owner
is .0000188

Statistics courtesy of FBI

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So, statistically, doctors are approximately
9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN,
BUT
Almost everyone has at least one doctor.
This means you are over 9,000 times more likely to be
killed by a doctor as by a gun owner!!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Please alert your friends
to this alarming threat.

We must ban doctors
before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Out of concern for the public at large,
We withheld the statistics on
lawyers
for fear the shock would cause
people to panic and seek medical attention!

 

[Ironman26]

I wonder if less vehicle weight would lessen the amount of blunt force trauma caused to the human body when struck by a 3/4 ton chevy pickup.....@ 70mph ??? Maybe smaller tires and shallower tread depth ??? HHHeeeeyyyy how about cold ass coffee from McDonalds, that way the public wont get burned or scalded....Ice cold pizza from the pizza place so when you take that first bite the hot molten cheese dont blister the **** out of ya mouth,lips ,tongue, or where ever the hot cheese stretches and lands on your neck !!!!! WHAT IDIOTS, I think a well trained person could empty accurately and stab another 10 rnd clip very efficiently in no time...aaaaaaa bullet is a bullet no matter how many is in the clip, one well placed hit ,does it really matter how many hits !!!! OOOOPS I said CLIP 2wice

 

[IfItFliesItDies]

AMA has become increasingly polarizingly liberal in recent years. Most physicians in the country fundamentally disagree with their stance on politics. That's why their membership has been steadily decreasing for years now.

I personally receded my membership after they came out in support of the ACA.

I would certainly like to know what quack jackass thought he had the right to speak for what I'm sure will be viewed as every physician in the country.

 

[Leonidas]

Probably a friend of quirk jackass Jimmy Hoffa, Jr, who thinks he has a right to speak for every Teamster in the country.

 

[general mills]

Probably a friend of quirk jackass Jimmy Hoffa, Jr, who thinks he has a right to speak for every Teamster in the country.

It's refreashing to hear someone who can make that distinction. The talking heads of many organizations are often quick to speak for thier membership. Despite what many people belive, not all Teamsters voted for the current administration.

 

[rocketsteve]

AMA has become increasingly polarizingly liberal in recent years. Most physicians in the country fundamentally disagree with their stance on politics. That's why their membership has been steadily decreasing for years now.

I personally receded my membership after they came out in support of the ACA.

I would certainly like to know what quack jackass thought he had the right to speak for what I'm sure will be viewed as every physician in the country.

Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton claim to speak for all African Americans...
National Organization for Women claims to speak for all women...
NAACP also claims to speak for all African Americans...
The 21 Democrat members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus claim to speak for all Latinos/Hispanics...


And these groups just scratch the surface of "special interests" that are out there claiming to speak for entire blocks of the American population. In most cases, they are "self-appointed" and represent their own interests and not the interests of those that they claim to represent...