Trump's Attempted Assassination Shows Gun Violence’s Wide Reach

Hi, it’s Madison in New York. The assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday is yet another grim example of gun violence in America. More on that in a moment, but first...

Schools. Concerts. Malls. Houses of worship. It seems no corner of America is safe from gun violence. Presidents — current or former — hadn’t been a target for more than 40 years before Saturday’s assassination attempt. Trump was clipped by a bullet, one person was killed and authorities said two others were critically injured.

It hits unbearably close to home for many. More than half of American adults have experienced a firearm-related incident or had one touch a family member, according to a KFF survey. Some 4% of respondents have been injured in a shooting. Gun violence is the country’s leading cause of death for kids younger than 19 and according to a congressional report, it costs hospitals more than $1 billion annually.

The issue has taken on new urgency for doctors and medical professionals on the the frontlines of the crisis. Some are going so far as to lobby to stem the tide of gun violence.

Just last month, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy responded by declaring it an urgent public health crisis. “All Americans deserve to live their lives free from firearm violence, as well as from the fear and devastation that it brings,” he said.