ARCHIVED: US surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis

In June 2024, then U.S. Surgeon General declared firearm violence a public health crisis. In March 2025, the Trump administration pulled down this declaration in an attempt to hide the impacts of guns on us, our communities, and our children.

We archived the report to ensure it remains available.

Highlights from the report include:

• Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents, surpassing motor vehicle deaths every year since 2019.
• 54% of Americans report they or a family member have experience firearm-related harm.
• The U.S. surpasses every other developed country in firearm deaths at 36.4 deaths per million — the 2nd closest is canada at only 6.2 deaths per million.
• 79% of U.S. adults report experiencing stress from the possibility of a mass shooting, while 33% say fear prevents them from going to certain places or events.

Click here to download the full report.