Regarding the gun violence epidemic that has been escalating for the last several years in our society is a public health hazard that needs to be addressed.

Scientific data reveals that, every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns. The USA has the highest rate of gun violence among developed countries. In today’s society, in America, almost anybody can have access to as many and as sophisticated guns as they please, from mentally ill to ex-felons. All of these play into why we are observing such escalation in gun violence in our communities.

It is time to demand appropriate leadership from our representatives, senators and president to take action on developing a collaborative and bipartisan plan on how to improve mental health services, but as importantly on how to control guns so that mentally ill and ex-felons cannot access guns as easily as they can now.

Dr. Resmiye Oral

Director, Child Protection Program

University of Iowa