Washington –
The U.S. surgeon general on Tuesday issued a landmark advisory opinion declaring gun violence a “public health crisis” and calling for expanded gun controls that have historically been overturned by fierce political opposition.
The advisory from President Joe Biden’s nominee Vivek Murthy is the first major report on gun violence from a surgeon general, whose office has limited authority but plays an important public role on health issues.
A similar report on tobacco from the 1960s was an important first step in changing perceptions of the substance’s danger, ultimately leading to new regulations and a sharp decline in consumption.
