Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Mass Shootings Are A 'Serious Public Health Issue,' Doctors Group Says
The American College of Physicians issued a statement Monday labeling mass shootings a 鈥渟erious public health issue鈥 and calling for a ban on automatic and semiautomatic weapons in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. 鈥淲e must acknowledge that lack of a U.S. policy to address gun violence is the reason we have much higher rates of injuries and deaths from firearms violence than other countries,鈥 the group said in a statement. Specifically, we call for a ban on the sale and ownership of automatic and semiautomatic weapons." (Carter, 10/2)
Sunday's massacre in Las Vegas spurred a ritual-like response from U.S. politicians following the mass shootings that have left a trail of victims across the country: Democrats renewed demands for tougher gun laws while Republicans offered up prayers but showed no signs of supporting such legislation. (Cowan, Cornwell, Holland and Tuppper, 10/2)
础苍诲听鈥
Congress has been unable, or unwilling, to approve gun control legislation after recent mass shootings 鈥 including one targeting lawmakers playing baseball 鈥 and it is unlikely to consider new bills after the attack in Las Vegas. To the contrary, House Republicans are on track to advance legislation easing firearms rules, including a package of bills backed by the National Rifle Assn. that would make it easier to purchase silencers. (Mascaro, 10/2)