Frustrated AMA adopts sweeping policies to cut gun violence

With frustration mounting over lawmakers’ inaction on gun control, the American Medical Association on Tuesday pressed for a ban on assault weapons and came out against arming teachers as a way to fight what it calls a public health crisis. At its annual policymaking meeting, the nation’s largest physicians group bowed to unprecedented demands from doctor-members to take a stronger stand on gun violence — a problem the organizations says is as menacing as a lethal infectious disease. The action comes against a backdrop of recurrent school shootings, everyday street violence in the nation’s inner cities, and rising U.S. suicide rates. Moms whose babies have heart defects may have long-term heart health risks Some vitamins, minerals may lower risk of heart disease, stroke: Study "We as physicians are the witnesses to the human toll of this disease," Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency-medicine specialist at Brown University, said at the meeting. AMA delegates voted to adopt several of nearly a dozen gun-related proposals presented by doctor groups that are part of the AMA’s membership. They agreed to: — Support any bans on the purchase or possession of guns and ammunition by people under 21. — Back laws that would require licensing and safety courses for gun owners and registration of all firearms. — Press for legislation that would allow relatives of suicidal people or those who have threatened imminent violence to seek court-ordered removal of guns from the home. — Encourage better training for physicians in how to recognize patients […]

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