US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: Gun violence is a health crisis

While experts acknowledge the 40-page report, external is largely symbolic and does not force policy change, it is viewed as a step forward in curbing deaths and changing the discussion around guns in the country.

Dr Sathya describes it as “legitimising” a discussion about using research and public health resources to tackle the issue with public health solutions.

“This isn’t just an issue of ‘we need background checks’ and we’re done,” he said.

“We need a lot of different nuanced policy and strategy to be able to tackle this in a way that makes sense for all Americans.”

Much of that has to do with recognising the scope of the problem, according to the report.

Since 2020, guns have been the leading cause of death for children and younger Americans.

And the death rate from guns is 11.4 times higher in the US, compared to 28 other high-income countries, making the issue a uniquely American problem.

“We don’t have to continue down this path, and we don’t have to subject our children to the ongoing horror of firearm violence in America,” Dr Murthy said.

“It will take the collective commitment of our nation to turn the tide.”

Dr Jeffrey Swanson is among the public health scholars whose research is cited in the surgeon general’s report.

He was a founding member of the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearms Policy, a group that helped lead to the creation of “red flag laws”, which allow courts to temporarily bar those in crisis from accessing guns. Red flag laws now exist in 21 states and the District of Columbia.

“Guns have taken on a symbolic role, as kind of a rail in the culture wars, and it’s a very divisive issue,” he told the BBC.

“But if we start with one square inch of common ground, I think that is an important step.”