Firearm Injury Prevention Activities

The ACS convened a summit with 47 multidisciplinary medical and injury prevention professional organizations on firearm injury prevention.

The ACS embraces and fosters a public health approach to reducing firearm injury. The ACS has:

Convened two summits with medical and injury prevention organizations to create a consensus-based approach to firearm injury prevention
Developed an effective strategy to reduce firearm injury, death, and disability through the Firearm Strategy Team (FAST)
Established the Improving Social Determinants to Attenuate Violence (ISAVE) workgroup, which developed four strategies to address the root causes of violence
Advocated for important legislation on Capitol Hill
Created resources, brochures, publications, and more

The full scope of the ACS’ efforts are outlined below.

“Effective healthcare is not just about treating the wounds of firearm violence, but also preventing them in the first place. By addressing the root causes of violence and providing education and support, healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in preventing firearm violence and promoting a safer, healthier society.”

Eileen M. Bulger, MD, FACS

ACS Firearm Injury Prevention Activities

Second Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention Convened

September 15, 2022

The second Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention convened in Chicago to lay out its priorities for addressing American’s public health crisis.

ACS Supports Bipartisan Senate Legislation (S. 2938) to Make Firearm Ownership and Communities Safer

June 23, 2022

The ACS voiced its support for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938), introduced in the Senate earlier this week.

The ACS Calls for Urgent, Bipartisan Action to Address Firearm Violence Public Health Crisis

June 2, 2022

Surgeons treating victims of firearm violence highlight 13 recommendations from ACS Firearms Strategy Team that can reduce deaths and serious injuries

Trauma Informed Care Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence

July 30, 2021

Multidisciplinary American College of Surgeons ISAVE group proposes strategies for trauma centers to address root causes of violence

Proceedings from Inaugural Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention

May 20, 2019

A consensus of 42 professional organizations on a constructive approach to reduce injury, disability, and death from firearm violence in the US.

Recommendations to Reduce Firearm Injury, Death, and Disability Released by ACS Workgroup

November 14, 2018

Public safety recommendations developed by trauma surgeons and firearm owners to make firearm ownership safer for all Americans.

See COT Firearm Injury Prevention Activities

“Preventing firearm violence requires a multifaceted approach, one that includes not only common-sense firearm legislation, but also addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to it.”

Joseph V. Sakran, MD, MPH, MPA, FACS

Key Firearm Injury Statistics

Since 2020, firearm-related injury has been the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents (ages 1–19).
The rate of firearm-related suicide increased by 20% for all age groups from 2012 to 2022, with the largest increase occurring among younger people.
The U.S. has 36.4 deaths per 1 million people among children and adolescents. The next highest among OECD nations is Canada with 6.2 per 1 million.
56% of unintentional firearm deaths among children and adolescents happened in their own home—74% of firearms used were stored loaded and 76% we stored unlocked.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Firearm Violence in America

Working to Prevent Firearm Injuries and Deaths