AAP Statement on Second Anniversary of Shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School

PRESS RELEASE

Chicago — (Dec. 12, 2014). Marking the second anniversary of the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012, the 62,000 pediatricians of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) renew the call for Americans and policymakers to keep all children safe from gun violence.

“Our hearts are still broken for the families of the children at Sandy Hook elementary school and for the whole community in Newtown, Connecticut. That tragedy serves as a constant reminder of the pain that families all around the country experience every day, over and over again, when a child is injured or killed by a gun. Since that terrible day, a reported 95 school shootings have occurred, almost one a week. Daily gun violence and suicide have continued unabated, shattering lives and families. As a country, we are simply not doing enough to stop this,” said Thomas K. McInerny, M.D., FAAP, immediate past president of the AAP.

“Pediatricians have been working all across the country in state capitols, local communities and in Washington, DC to advocate for public policies that prevent gun violence and ameliorate its effects on children, but progress has been too slow,” said Dr. McInerny.

“Children deserve to be safe and to feel safe in their homes and communities,” said James M. Perrin, M.D., FAAP, president of the AAP. “Common-sense policies like safe storage of weapons, physician counseling about firearms, background checks, and limits on access to assault weapons can make a difference. The AAP will continue to advocate for these simple but powerful policies as long as children continue to be harmed by guns.”

# # #

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 62,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults (

www.aap.org). Follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.