Freedom with Responsibility: A Consensus Strategy for Preventing Injury, Death, and Disability from Firearm Violence

Recommendations from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma’s Firearm Strategy Team (FAST) Workgroup: Chicago Consensus I

“…We have worked carefully and deliberately to develop an inclusive narrative that can be supported by both sides of the often-polarized debate about firearms in the US. 17 This workgroup and follow-on workgroups are designed to engage diverse stakeholder groups and have them contribute constructively, so that they can be part of the solution.…”

“…This inclusive approach has led to the creation of a common narrative that creates a bridge between groups of people who do not agree about the general benefit of firearms, but agree on the need to reduce violence, injuries, and deaths. 17 We have demonstrated that surgeons with strong opinions about the benefit or lack of benefit of firearms can and will work together to reduce firearm death and disability. The next steps of this process are multifaceted, but the goal is to develop a durable, effective, and common-ground set of policies that reduce firearm injury and death.…”

“…Recommendation: The public, professionals in law enforcement, and the press should take steps to eliminate notoriety of the shooter and take an editorially muted approach to the coverage of these events. [17][18][19] Rationale: Although we would prefer better data based on solid research, we believe we should encourage best practices directed toward eliminating or mitigating motivation for socially isolated, violent individuals from moving from contemplation to action. This point of view is well stated by the journalist Zeynep Tufekci 18 : "The media needs to adopt a similar sensible framework to covering mass killings.…”

Proceedings from the Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention: A Public Health Approach to Reduce Death and Disability in the US

“…1 The visual abstract in Figure 1 graphically depicts this polarized debate and an inclusive alternative. 2 This philosophic divide is most evident on the extremes, but these competing philosophies lead to polarized personal narratives and create the perception of a large chasm between 2 groups. One of 2 dominant narratives asserts that firearms are beneficial, necessary, and a protected right.…”

Firearm Violence in Wilmington

“…2 For those who survive their violent injuries, research suggests many are likely to be injured again with one study finding a 44% recurrence rate and 20% mortality rate within 5 years. 3 There are few health disparities that are as profound; the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) has plainly stated, “Violent intentional injury is the most poorly addressed public health problem in America.” 4 However, understanding firearm violence in public health terms is both a novel and complex task. The Violence Prevention Alliance of the World Health Organization 5 outlines a public health approach to violence in four steps that could be applied to Delaware:…”