'Gun Violence Is An American Epidemic': Salem Board Of Health

SALEM, MA — The Salem Board of Health called gun violence a public health problem and health equity issue as it urged stricter laws to contain what it called an "American epidemic" in a statement released on Tuesday.

The Board members said they stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors of mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, and cited the more than 200 Americans shot and wounded, and more than 100 killed, with guns each day in calling for better tracking of guns and identifying of those at risk perpetuating gun violence.

"In addition to children, guns disproportionately affect young adults, men, and black and Latinx communities," the statement said. "Gun violence is not only a public health problem but a health equity issue as well.

"The Board of Health acknowledges that gun violence is an American epidemic that is preventable by recognizing it as a danger to public health and taking meaningful steps to mitigate it.

"Communities throughout the United States must be empowered to track gun-related injuries and deaths, identify risk factors that influence gun violence, and implement common-sense strategies to address the problem."

The Board called for federal legislation similar to the strict Massachusetts state laws, including a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"All community members should be able to shop, work, learn, and play without the fear of being shot and killed by someone with easy access to guns," the statement said. "We encourage people to advocate for regulatory gun laws that will protect our communities from the threat of gun violence, and especially our most vulnerable communities where gun violence has become a regular occurrence."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)