After mass shootings we often ask: Could this have been prevented? Yes. We can prevent gun violence. “The public health approach emphasizes prevention and focuses not only on the gun user but also the instrument of violence and the environment.” https://t.co/jz6kC9tvjS 1/13
— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
The public health approach to gun violence:
1) Systematic data collection
2) Reduce magazine size
3) Restrict ownership of assault rifles
3) Modifying the environment
4) Changing social norms
5) Routine discussions with doctors/NPs about firearms and safety
… continued… 2/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
6) Raise taxes on guns and ammunition to fund gun safety and violence reduction programs
7) Changing depictions of gun violence in the media
8) Regulate gun safety locks and safe storage
9) Shift industry to smart guns
10) Mandatory gun safety classes
… continued… 3/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
11) Restrictions on people who commit gun violence and negligence
12) Restrictions on domestic abusers
13) Minimum age requirements for purchasing weapons and ammunition
14) Universal, uniform national gun laws
15) Licensing and periodic renewal and background checks
… 4/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
These approaches are constitutional, informed by past public health successes, and supported by decades academic research. Read more: “Curbing Gun Violence Lessons From Public Health Successes” @JAMA_current 2013 https://t.co/xYbp4nUXob
5/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
While we need a multidimensional public health strategy to gun violence, one of the biggest keys to success is universal, uniform gun control laws. States with strong gun control laws have lower gun-related deaths, but guns can cross state lines. We need a national strategy.
6/13 pic.twitter.com/2Xr9WLtIdG— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
Research clearly shows that more guns = more homicides, more suicides, more homicides followed by suicide, more homicides of police, more intimidation of and violence against women.https://t.co/QKbcOORlpdhttps://t.co/bGtKcfnKuS
7/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
Across states, more guns = more suicides.
Veterans are more likely to use guns to commit suicide.
Children are more likely to impulsively commit suicide with a firearm.https://t.co/Ias8ny8M9lhttps://t.co/GIwaOyhNjb
8/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
Guns are not effective personal protection. @HarvardChanSPH: 11 studies show claims of guns used to prevent crime and in self defense are largely myths. https://t.co/ZJ6uAgKZQ8
9/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
Too many people and parents are storing guns loaded and unlocked, even with children in the home. https://t.co/RHzrxi4jQZ
10/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
Across states, more guns = more unintentional firearm deaths.
Across states, unsafe gun storage = more unintentional firearm deaths.https://t.co/55E5PsVfFz
11/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
ER and inpatient medical costs of gun violence is estimated to be $2.8 billion (that’s $2,800,000,000) a year by @JohnsHopkins @Health_Affairs. This doesn’t include billions in rehab, lost wages, and other costs.https://t.co/WIAzhUE85l
12/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018
We need to start treating gun violence with the seriousness it deserves. There is enough research to act. We’ve studied this for decades. The only thing left is the political will to act.
13/13— Justin Gero 🦅 (@JustinGero) February 18, 2018