Firearm injury and death represents a public health problem in the U.S., accounting for more deaths than motor vehicle crashes. Historically, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) and other leading health care professional organizations have advocated for improved care and effective violence-related injury prevention. In an effort to engage all ACS members in the discussion, the COT administered a confidential, deidentified, web-based survey to all active and retired U.S. members on topics related to firearm injury prevention and advocacy.

The results of this study will be presented during a Special Session, ACS Membership Survey Results on Firearm Injury Prevention, 11:30 am−
12:30 pm Tuesday, Moscone Center West, Third Floor Ballroom. Opportunities for a consensus-driven approach to reduce firearm injury and death also will be explored during the session. Presenters will discuss initiatives that are informed by both the survey results and the Board of Regent’s comprehensive action plan to expand efforts based upon “freedom with responsibility” within the ACS and to decrease firearm injury and death in the U.S. The session’s panel will include COT leaders, members of the COT Injury Prevention and Control Committee, and members of the ACS Firearm Strategy Team Workgroup.

Surgeons have a unique perspective on this public health challenge because they provide care to patients who have been injured by firearms, and the more than 500 ACS-verified trauma centers in the U.S. are required to implement injury prevention programs that address the root causes of the most common causes of injury and death in the populations they serve.