This is Scientific Americans 60 Second Science. I'm Steve Mursky.

On average, gun violence claims the lives of nearly 100 people every day in the United States. People are dying of gun violence

in our homes, in our churches, in our schools, on our street corners, and at public gatherings.

David O. Barb, president of the American Medical Association.

He spoke June 9th at the AMA annual meeting in Chicago.

We've recommended common sense gun safety protections,

waiting periods and background checks

for those seeking to purchase a gun,

and increased funding for mental health services.

We've called upon the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct epidemiological

research on gun violence.

It is perhaps the only leading cause of death

where such research is not being conducted.

To those who feel we should not address this

as an organization because it is too controversial,

I would ask, did we shy away from fighting discrimination against AIDS patients in the early days of that epidemic, even though much of society

stigmatized those with HIV? No. We let science lead us. And did we mute our opposition to smoking because big tobacco

defended it? No. We let science lead us.

And even now, have we backed away from our support on universal vaccinations

or the gains made through the Affordable Care Act

because they're controversial?

No.

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