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Obama takes a public health view on guns

President Obama's speech and executive orders were an important step forward to address gun violence.

By Michael Yudell

President Obama's speech and executive orders were an important step forward to address gun violence. The president affirmed both his support for the Second Amendment and his commitment to quickly reduce gun violence in the wake of the national tragedies in Newtown, Aurora, Oak Creek, and Tucson.

Any changes to gun laws, including banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines, will have to be taken up by the legislative branch, and the president promised on Wednesday to push Congress to do just that. It will be a hard road ahead to pass such legislation, but hopefully our elected officials pay attention to the national mood on gun safety matters.

These measures are a first step in the right direction.

Now we wait for Congress to act. But every day we wait more Americans will die. "The number will keep growing," Obama said. Well aware of the political hurdles that lie ahead, the president reminded us "the only way we can change is if the American people demand it."

So let's demand it. Now.

Read more posts about violence and trauma on The Public's Health.