Top public health concern in the US is gun violence, says study

New York: Over a quarter of Americans believe that gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in the US. A new study by Axios and the Ispos American Health Index has termed it the number one public health threat.

26% of Americans believe that access to guns is the top threat to public health. 49% of Black Americans, 50% of Democrats, and 31% of people living in urban areas cited firearm access as their number one concern.

"Access to guns and firearms is now considered one of the top threats to public health, alongside opioids and fentanyl. Since February, the number of Americans citing guns as their top concern has increased significantly." In February, only 17% thought it was a top concern. In three months, the number increased by nearly 10%.

According to the database of the Gun Violence Archive, the US has seen 202 mass shootings in which four or more people were wounded or killed in 2023. In 2022 and 2021, there were 647 and 690 mass shootings.

President Joe Biden has once again called for Congress to tighten gun controls.

According to the federal law of the US, people do not need a license to purchase a gun. Several states have imposed a law saying people need to have a permit to purchase that works similarly to universal background check laws.