Every day, 310 people are shot and 100 people are killed due to gun violence. Gun violence is a public health crisis. Together, we can educate and advocate for evidence-based solutions to this epidemic.
Med Students for Gun Safety (MSGS) is a coalition of health professional students from across the United States dedicated to advocating for the end of gun violence in our country. MSGS was launched in August 2018 to answer a need for a stronger health student force in the national effort for gun violence prevention. Since then, we have strengthened and organized our voice in the fight against the gun violence epidemic. Our efforts are focused on:
- Promoting responsible gun ownership
- Advocating for effective federal violence prevention legislation
- Fighting for a better gun safety curriculum in medical education
- Increasing public health research on gun violence
Join MSGS Campaign & AMSA members along with allies across the country who are calling on our Congress members to TAKE ACTION to help us address the public health impact of gun violence.
- Find contact info for your U.S. Senators and Representatives here – Contacting Congress
(Link includes both in-district and Washington DC office info) - Tips for Speaking about Gun Violence Prevention (GVP)
- NEW! from AMSA allies at Brady United Against Gun Violence – Brady’s Legislative Blueprint for A Safer America Report
Want to speak with your elected officials about gun violence prevention legislation but not sure where to start?
Take a look at our Legislative Backgrounders on current Senators and Representatives to see how they’ve voted in the past on previous legislation. This can help shape your conversation and help you develop your “ask!”
In order to enact change, our efforts must be grounded in evidence-based solutions. Therefore, it is imperative to look at the statistics, barriers to research, and legislative hurdles that have been fundamental in the evolution of this public health crisis.
- Become a Local MSGS Representative
- MSGS is currently recruiting a representative from each AMSA chapter with whom we can communicate upcoming events, initiatives, and monthly newsletters.
- If you are interested in bringing MSGS to your school’s AMSA chapter, please contact us at msgs.chair@amsa.org.
- Also, please fill out this form: MSGS Chapter Interest Form.
- Join the MSGS Steering Committee
- Help us in our startup efforts to end gun violence!
- Apply here: MSGS Steering Committee Application
- Join our mailing list here.
- Check out the Learn More section below
- Print out our helpful MSGS Flyer to distribute at school club fairs
For any other questions or inquiries regarding MSGS’s efforts and to learn how to educate and mobilize others at your school, contact the MSGS Chairs.
- White Coat Pocket Cards
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- Reference these for a more effortless, less intimidating, and more productive conversation with your patients about their gun safety.
- Advocacy
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- AMSA 2020 Advocacy Day
- #WearOrange Day
- National Stand SAFE Day
- Rally for Gun Violence Research with Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords
- Lobbying for improved medical education on the issues of gun violence
- Violence Against Women Act
- Fact Sheets
- 1st Annual Week of Action
- When: March 16-20, 2020
- What: AMSA chapters will be engaging in a action-packed week focused on advocacy, education, and legislation surrounding the issue of gun violence.
- Where: with your help, across the United States!
- How: Sign up by contacting the MSGS chairs to get your chapter involved or to start an AMSA chapter!
- Lobbying for improved medical education on the issues of gun violence
- Advocating for protection for survivors of intimate partner violence
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Support of the Violence Against Women Act
- March 2020 Week of Action
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- When: March 16-20, 2020
- What: each day will be focused on advocacy, education, and legislation surrounding the issue of gun violence (details TBD)
- Where: with your help, across the United States!
- Help us plan: join our Steering Committee, or join the effort by being a part of the MSGS campaign! Contact the MSGS Chairs for more information.
- AMSA’s 2020 National Convention and Exposition
- When: April 16-19
- Where: Washington, D.C.
- What: hear from fellow AMSA members about their projects and work!
- Stop by MSGS’s table to hear more about us
- Sign up for Advocacy Day – train to meet with legislators and congressional aides, and then visit your elected officials’ offices!
- Gun violence prevention will be one of the major topics this year.
- Helpful preventing gun violence resources from other organizations:
- Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic
- American Psychological Association
- American Public Health Association
- American Association of Pediatrics
- Prevention Institute
- Doctors For America
- White Coats against Gun Violence
- Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence
- American Medical Women’s Association
- Ongoing research programs: Harvard Injury Control Research Center, UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program
- For a list of state-specific organizations you could partner with, check out States United to Prevent Gun Violence
- For national advocacy efforts, check out Giffords Courage to Fight Gun Violence, Brady United and Everytown for Gun Safety
Check out some student resource sheets for more information:
- American Public Health Association Resource Sheet
- Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence Printable Brochure
- Center for American Progress Gun Violence Prevention website
- Gun Safety & Public Health: Policy Recommendations for a More Secure America
Special thanks to our partners at SAFE and Columbia University Gun Violence Action Committee