Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declares gun violence public health crisis

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy formally declared gun violence a public health crisis on Tuesday.

Murthy also called for a ban on assault weapons and civilian use of large-capacity magazines.

"Firearm violence is an urgent public health crisis that has led to loss of life, unimaginable pain, and profound grief for far too many Americans," Murthy said in a statement.

Medical organizations publicly supported his declaration in the press release, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, American College of Surgeons, and the YWCA.