The AAP has been involved for decades in advocacy efforts to address firearm violence as a public health issue and advance policies that keep children, families, and communities safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Our Advocacy Priorities

The Academy's firearm violence prevention advocacy priorities include: 

  • Gun violence prevention research: Federally funded research helps us understand what puts children at risk for injuries and deaths from guns so we can use this research to develop solutions to keep children safe. Currently, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) each receive $12.5 million annually to conduct this research. We need to continue federal funding for this vital work (See a list of CDC funded research projects here). Fact sheet here.
  • Stronger firearm safety laws: Enacting common-sense firearm safety legislation at the federal, state, and local levels, including strengthening background checks, supporting effective extreme risk protection orders (ERPO or red flag laws), encouraging safe firearm storage, banning assault weapons, and addressing firearm trafficking can help keep children safe.
  • Violence prevention and resilience: AAP supports programs addressing the needs of at-risk children and children exposed to violence to address trauma and promote healing.  

Firearm Injury Prevention Special Interest Group

The Firearm Injury Prevention Special Interest Group (SIG) provides a forum for pediatricians and other health care professionals focusing on firearm injury and violence prevention to share successes and strategies, promote educational programs, engage in advocacy efforts, and foster connections among members to address problems specific to local or regional care of children, adolescents, and young adults. 

To receive communications and access content related to the Firearm Injury Prevention SIG, please complete the following registration form. 

Register Here

Gun Violence Prevention Research Roundtable

The AAP leads a nonpartisan national coalition of leading medical, public health, and research organizations dedicated to educating policymakers and partners about the value of federal funding for firearm violence prevention research. 

Learn More

Pediatrician Testimonies on Gun Violence

Hundreds of pediatricians submitted testimonials to the congressional record on the impact of gun violence on their patients, families, and communities. 

Read the Testimonies

Learn More

Become an Advocate

Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest advocacy news. (AAP login required).

Join Our Mailing List
Last Updated

01/19/2024

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics