The research on gun safety

Some people have guns for sport and other because it makes them feel safe. We all want to feel safe. But do guns really improve one’s safety? What seems logical to many may not be true.

I am reminded of things in my 39 years of being a pediatrician that seemed right, but with scientific study turned out to be wrong. Babies spit up, when lying on our backs we can choke if we vomit, and babies die of SIDS. So for many years babies were put to bed on their stomachs. It turned out to be wrong. Babies now are put to bed on their backs and SIDS declined.

Guns are the same. Studies show they don’t make you safer, according to the esteemed journal Scientific American (October 2017). So if you are an avid Second Amendment supporter, I would encourage you to be curious and read the article (https://bit.ly/2hxorn4).

If you disagree with the magazine’s conclusions then at least support more gun violence research by the Centers for Disease Control. NRA-backed politicians have blocked such research.

David Moershel

Spokane