Given the recent tragedy in Parkland, Florida, I urge you all to send emails to your representatives to protect our children. You can look up your officials here: https://federaladvocacy.aap.org/home?14
Here's a template:
As a [pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)], I urge you to ban assault-style weapons such as AR-15's. Children need common-sense policies that protect them from gun violence, not that put them at greater risk for harm.
Among children and youth under 19 in 2015, over 70 percent of all homicide deaths and over 40 percent of all suicide deaths were the result of a firearm. Each day, an average of seven children and youth under age 19 die from a firearm-related injury.
Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and must be addressed that way.
The recent mass shootings (Newton, CN; Aurora, CO; Santa Monica, CA; Orlando, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Sutherland Springs, TX; Parkland, FL) have all been due to easy and unnecessary access to the AR-15. The semi-automatic nature of the AR-15 makes it too easy to kill many people in a few seconds. In addition, an 18 year who isn't allowed to buy a pistol, should also not be allowed to buy an AR-15. In fact, the AR-15 was outlawed under the assault weapons ban, but the ban has lapsed since 2004.
All children deserve to be safe from gun violence where they live, learn and play. I urge you to ban assault-style weapons such as the AR-15 and work to advance meaningful, comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation.
Thank you for all you do for children and families.
Here's a template:
As a [pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)], I urge you to ban assault-style weapons such as AR-15's. Children need common-sense policies that protect them from gun violence, not that put them at greater risk for harm.
Among children and youth under 19 in 2015, over 70 percent of all homicide deaths and over 40 percent of all suicide deaths were the result of a firearm. Each day, an average of seven children and youth under age 19 die from a firearm-related injury.
Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and must be addressed that way.
The recent mass shootings (Newton, CN; Aurora, CO; Santa Monica, CA; Orlando, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Sutherland Springs, TX; Parkland, FL) have all been due to easy and unnecessary access to the AR-15. The semi-automatic nature of the AR-15 makes it too easy to kill many people in a few seconds. In addition, an 18 year who isn't allowed to buy a pistol, should also not be allowed to buy an AR-15. In fact, the AR-15 was outlawed under the assault weapons ban, but the ban has lapsed since 2004.
All children deserve to be safe from gun violence where they live, learn and play. I urge you to ban assault-style weapons such as the AR-15 and work to advance meaningful, comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation.
Thank you for all you do for children and families.
