HHS Removes Surgeon General’s Advisory Declaring Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis

The removal follows President Trump’s executive order prioritizing Second Amendment rights, raising concerns about the future of gun violence prevention efforts.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed the 2024 Surgeon General’s advisory on gun violence from its website, citing compliance with President Trump’s executive order.
The advisory, issued by Vivek Murthy, framed gun violence as a public health crisis and highlighted firearms as the leading cause of death for children and adolescents since 2020.
The executive order instructs a review of federal firearms regulations to ensure they do not infringe on Second Amendment rights, reversing measures enacted under the Biden administration.
Advocates for gun violence prevention, including medical organizations, warn that the removal undermines years of progress in addressing gun violence through public health approaches and research.
Over 46,000 firearm-related deaths were reported in 2023, underscoring the ongoing prevalence of gun violence in the United States.