On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis firmly stated that Florida would refuse to comply with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s recent declaration that firearm violence is a public health crisis.
On Tuesday, the nation’s top doctor, Murthy, released an advisory urging for a comprehensive approach to address the increasing number of deaths and injuries caused by firearms in the United States. He emphasized the need for a response similar to those implemented to combat tobacco and motor vehicle-related deaths.
According to a video advisory by Murthy, over half of American adults, around 54%, have reported experiencing a gun-related incident either personally or through a family member. He further emphasized that firearm violence is the primary cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States.
NEW: Today, for the first time in the history of our office, I am issuing a Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence. Firearm violence is a public health crisis in America that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of our country. https://t.co/bNS7xDa96X 1/10 pic.twitter.com/1w43IMMpxA
— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) June 25, 2024
Residents of New Tampa expressed their concerns about a recent streak of shootings in the area, which included a tragic incident on New Tampa Boulevard that resulted in two fatalities. A community center was filled with concerned citizens who gathered a day before Murthy’s advisory to discuss the situation.
In his plea to address the issue of gun violence, Murthy has advocated for a range of measures. He has emphasized the importance of universal background checks, a crackdown on assault weapons, and increased funding for research on preventing gun violence. Additionally, he has called for stricter regulations on the gun industry to ensure that firearms are not easily accessible to individuals who pose a risk to public safety.
Congress would need to pass legislation in order for the surgeon general’s recommendations to be implemented nationwide, as the surgeon general does not have the authority to enforce them.
On Wednesday, Governor DeSantis made it clear that Florida will not comply with Murthy’s proposals, even if some state legislatures may consider them.
The governor expressed his views on Murthy’s actions in a post on X, stating that he believes Murthy is trying to infringe on the Second Amendment by leveraging the “public health” bureaucracy.
In regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out how the federal government’s response was used as an excuse by unelected bureaucrats to strip citizens of their rights under the guise of “public health”.
When asked to elaborate on DeSantis’ stance, Jeremy Redfern, the press secretary for the governor’s office, stated, “I believe the governor’s post speaks for itself.”
The advisory was turned down by the National Rifle Association as well.
In a statement released on X, Randy Kozuch, the executive director of the association, expressed his belief that the recent move is a continuation of the Biden administration’s attack on gun owners who abide by the law.
“He said that the crime problem in America is caused by criminals. The primary cause of this problem is the unwillingness of President Joe Biden and many of his allies to prosecute and punish criminals,” he added.
According to Murthy, the effects of firearm violence are not limited to those who have experienced it firsthand. He emphasizes that there are “broader waves of harm” that affect people who witness the violence, reside in areas that are frequently impacted by it, or even read about it in the media.
According to Murthy, “Firearm violence poses a threat to public health, and we are facing a moral crisis due to our inability to tackle it.”