To: Republican members of Congress and President Donald Trump
The CDC must study America's gun violence epidemic
Gun violence in America has reached epidemic proportions, so our government should be treating it like a public health crisis. Trump must make this a priority, and the CDC's findings must be widely published and used as a basis for legislation to end this national epidemic.
Why is this important?
Parkland. Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook. Columbine. Santa Fe, TX. Virginia Beach. Gilroy Garlic Festival. El Paso.
Too many people have died as a result of the ever-growing gun violence epidemic in the United States. As a father of two children who are in public school, I am terrified that my child could be next.
Our government should be treating it like a public health crisis, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not been given the necessary resources to study the unique question of why so many mass shootings are happening in our nation.
Donald Trump refused to acknowledge that those killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are victims of gun violence. When he was sworn into office, he quickly reversed a rule which banned gun purchases by the mentally ill.
I believe this is a systemic issue that requires a top-down solution. A study by the CDC should identify the underlying causes and recommend comprehensive solutions, which Congress should use as a basis for creating legislation to solve the root causes of this national crisis.
Tell Donald Trump and his Republican party to direct the CDC to study America's gun violence epidemic.