RIAFP Policy
Brief: 4/16/01
Gun Control
Approximately
half of all American households have guns. Many of these firearms
were purchased for reasons such as hunting or protection. Firearms
education of both adults and children decreases the likelihood of
unintentional injury of death and is recommended particularly in homes
where firearms are kept. The Academy supports the development, promotion
and distribution of patient education materials on firearms safety.
The Academy supports
stronger enforcement of existing federal, state and local laws and
regulations regarding the manufacture, sale and possession of guns.
Increased efforts to enforce current laws on illegal gun trafficking
should have high priority for federal, state and local law enforcement
agencies.
The Academy strongly
supports legislation restricting unsupervised access to both firearms
and ammunition by children under 18 years of age.
The Academy supports
efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of regulations, interventions,
and strategies for preventing injuries and fatalities caused by firearms.
The Academy supports and encourages legislation targeting the ongoing
improvement in firearm safety requirements.
The Academy urges
support of legislation that requires utilization of operative trigger
locks and that requires storing firearms locked away and unloaded.
The Academy supports
legislation requiring an operative trigger lock on every gun manufactured
or transferred. These should effectively prevent a great number of
unintentional firearm deaths.
The Academy opposes
private ownership of assault weapons and supports background checks
and waiting periods for all firearm sales.
This is one
in a series of reports designed to advance Family Practice and primary
care in Rhode Island's health care system, as well as to discuss public
health issues of importance to all Rhode Islanders.
We welcome
the opportunity to further discuss the issues presented here. We can
be reached by phone at 401-453-4176, or by email at info@riafp.org.
4/16/01
