The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons praised Congress for passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which would expand background checks, restrict certain individuals from owning guns and provide incentives for states to enact "red-flag" programs.
"Due to the traumatic injuries and deaths that are caused by firearms, which threaten the public health and safety of many Americans, it was imperative that Congress act to adopt additional measures to prevent firearm injuries," Ann Stroink, MD, president of the AANS, said in a June 24 news release.
The AANS and CNS promote education programs designed to prevent firearm injuries by teaching and encouraging proper firearm use, safety, storage and ownership responsibility. The societies also believe that individuals with behavioral health conditions should have access to appropriate mental health services and should not have access to firearms.
"In light of the ongoing tragedies related to gun violence, and given that neurosurgeons are often on the frontlines treating these injuries, America's neurosurgeons support commonsense solutions, including those contained in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," said Nicholas Bambakidis, MD, president of CNS.