LETTER
Preventing Firearm Violence
Del J. DeHart, MD
15 November 1995 | Volume 123 Issue 10 | Page 813
TO THE EDITOR:
The American College of Physicians [1] has established its position in the gun control morass but stands on a precarious notion: that firearm violence is a public health issue in the sense that tuberculosis control and childhood immunizations are public health issues. Firearm violence is clearly a public safety issue, but I cannot envision our local health department workers regulating firearm ownership while they are arranging WIC services. I believe that labeling this social and moral problem as a public health failure is at best a well-intentioned but misguided effort to save lives. At worst, it is an intentional manipulation of the College members into tacit support of gun control as a solution to a distressingly complex problem.
|
Author and Article Information
|
|---|
Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals, Inc.; Saginaw, MI 48602
1. American College of Physicians. Preventing firearm violence: a public health imperative. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 122:311-3.
About Letters
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
Top
Author & Article Info
REFERENCE
Article
