WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released the first ever Surgeon General Advisory on the public health crisis of firearm violence in America:

“Surgeon General Advisories have the rare ability to cut through the political noise and help us understand the biggest health crises we face as a nation. I’m grateful to see Surgeon General Vivek Murthy use the power and prestige of his office to help wake this country up to the trauma we are putting our kids and families through every day this epidemic continues. This advisory is recognition of what those of us in the gun violence prevention movement know to be true: the best way to stop gun deaths is by passing universal background checks and an assault weapons ban – two things Congress could do tomorrow. I’m also glad to see Surgeon General Murthy acknowledge the important role that community violence intervention programs and common-sense measures like safe storage laws can play in keeping our communities safe.”

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