Rep. Robin Kelly: ‘Gun violence is a public health issue’

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) applauded the U.S. Surgeon General’s announcement to declare gun violence as a national public health emergency.

Today, Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new advisory, “Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America,” that details the health consequences of gun violence. Rep. Kelly has long led efforts in Congress to treat gun violence as a public health emergency, including her bill that would invest greater research into gun violence. Last year, Rep. Kelly co-led a letter to the Surgeon General and Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services, urging them to publish a report to address gun violence as a threat to the country’s public health.

“The U.S. Surgeon General’s announcement today is excellent news, and has been a long time coming. Gun violence is a public health issue, and we now have the important backing of Dr. Vivek Murphy to treat it as such,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, co-chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “Research in this issue has long been neglected, and this is a start to help fill in the gaps. Gun violence requires a whole-of-government response, and that includes Congress. I will take this new advisory to heart and continue to urge for more data and investments in research to end gun violence.”

Dr. Murthy’s advisory focuses on how gun violence disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities and traumatizes young people. It also advises policymakers on how to approach gun violence as a public health issue.