Why Doctors May Not Be Best Choice Of Voice On Gun Debate

By Tom Knighton

AP Photo/Molly Riley

The National Rifle Association famously told doctors to “stay in your lane.”

A number of doctors replied with images arguing that gun violence was, indeed, their lane. They argued that since they were the ones who dealt with its aftermath, they were a natural voice to speak about gun control.

While that furor died down eventually, the feelings that sparked the outrage continued. Now, doctors are demanding inclusion in the gun debate.

“There are only two people in the world that can tell you the difference between what a handgun or an AR-15 does to someone’s liver. And it’s me and the coroner,” said Newark trauma surgeon Stephanie Bonne to a room full of researchers and gun-control advocates at Rutgers University’s New Brunswick Campus.

Bonne was making the case Tuesday that medical professionals should be at the table for discussions of gun violence. Historically, she said, the issue has been looked at through a criminal justice lens.

Well, there are a lot of people who aren’t doctors who can tell you the difference between what a handgun and an AR-15 does to someone’s liver. More to the point, we can also point out that not all handguns are created equal. …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms