Scientific approach needed on guns

Last month, another uniquely American tragedy, two mass shootings in two weeks. Among modern industrialized nations, only the United States endures the current public health epidemic of firearm assisted injury and death. In 2020, over 41,000 people were shot to death in the U.S., while proponents of the Second Amendment, continue to protect it at all costs - fighting even common sense measures such as limiting access to felons and the mentally ill through universal background checks.

I learned to shoot before I could drive. I spent summer days with my grandfather, target shooting with pistols and rifles. He respected firearms and taught me to do the same. I am not anti-gun; I am anti-gun violence and injury. We all want our families to be safe and live in a country where they do not have to fear some crazed shooter with a self-destructive agenda. We all want to stop avoidable accidental firearm injuries. Only by studying the epidemiology of firearm morbidity and mortality as any other public health issue, will we decrease firearm injury and associated mortality.

The automobile industry, collaborating with government, utilizes safety research to make our cars and travel much safer. Anti-lock brakes, seat belts and crumple technology save lives daily. All vehicles are registered and tracked with vehicle identification numbers - so why not firearms? Operators are licensed, with mandatory periodic training.

The firearm industry must collaborate with government to adopt a similar approach. Congress must foster this partnership, not obstruct it. We need best practice policies based on this information to keep firearms from the mentally challenged and promote responsible ownership and use. Universal background checks for all purchases and transfers is an important start.

Only by applying a scientific approach will we make gun ownership and use safer - and reduce our nation's shameful gun related injury and mortality record.

Dr. Charles Nozicka

Libertyville