A Serious Public Health Issue
In the recent wake of the horrendous, tragic mass murder at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, and the shooting at a country dance bar in California, organized medical societies have again, understandably, called for further action on firearm safety.
It's a call that has happened many times before, over decades, following many acts of evil. Physicians and policy-makers are making these pleas with impassioned, structured arguments. And, as before, these calls may not result in meaningful change.
There are different cultural perspectives and identities involved in the underlying issue of firearm ownership rights. However, when it comes to the all-too-common acts of violence that have been occurring with disturbing frequency, there are many points of common belief within which dialogue may be established and common ground explored.
Chief among these points is that any perpetration of mass violence is an utterly abhorrent, inexcusable abomination. The terrible specter of violence against innocents energizes those of each perspective—whether or not they are supportive of gun ownership rights—to wish to take action to prevent the next unjustified death, whether it be a single life or many.
To make progress in the efforts to reduce the frequency and impact of mass-casualty events, I believe that we must acknowledge that there are people of good character, and of good intent, who may differ on their personal preferences with regard to the Second Amendment.
