In a significant push for reform, health care leaders and physicians in Minnesota gathered at the State Capitol on Thursday to urge Governor Tim Walz to convene a special legislative session focused on gun control. This call to action follows the tragic shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church, which left several victims in need of medical attention.
The coalition, which included doctors who treated the shooting victims, advocated for four key measures: a ban on assault weapons, restrictions on high-capacity magazines, implementation of safe storage laws, and the repeal of a local preemption law that currently prevents cities from enacting their own gun control regulations. In a poignant statement, Dr. Lisa Mattson, president of the Minnesota Medical Association, emphasized, “This is no longer a friendly request from their local doctors. This is a demand from the tens of thousands of physicians across the state who know firearm violence for what it is: a public health crisis.”
Calls for Action from Medical Professionals
During the press conference, medical professionals expressed frustration over the lack of progress on gun control legislation. They are actively engaging with lawmakers but have not disclosed specific details regarding legislative responses. Janna Gewirtz O’Brien, president-elect of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, remarked, “I’m hearing a whole lot of empathy and not a lot of action.”
Governor Walz addressed the situation, stating that he is “still working it,” but has not confirmed plans to call a special session. Negotiations regarding the parameters of such a session have faced significant challenges, with DFL leaders indicating a “clear impasse.” They publicly released one of their proposals, which incorporates several Republican suggestions focused on school safety and mental health, though details of the Republican counteroffer remain undisclosed.
Walz expressed concern that the Republican proposal lacks any mention of gun control measures. He stated, “If we’re going to come back in a special session and address what the public clearly wants, we need to discuss the whole spectrum of issues.”
Firsthand Accounts from Trauma Surgeons
The emotional weight of the Annunciation shooting was underscored by Dr. Trish Valusek, a pediatric trauma surgeon at Children’s Minnesota. She recalled the trauma alert she received on the morning of the shooting, noting that it is rare for school-age children to suffer such severe injuries. “Having five bloody shocked children arrive at Children’s all at once, all of whom were the same age as my children, is very difficult,” Valusek stated.
Valusek highlighted the distinct physiological differences between children and adults, particularly in cases of traumatic injury. “It should be obvious — kids are small, and this can make the injury they incur more severe,” she explained. “I really hope I don’t need to give a more graphic description of what a bullet does to a child’s tiny body to get the point across that it is bad.”
Dr. Tim Kummer, the first physician to respond to the scene, shared his harrowing memories of that day, including the trauma he witnessed firsthand. Kummer testified before Minnesota senators on September 15 about the differences in injuries caused by handguns versus rifles, particularly in young victims. He noted that assault weapons significantly increased the number of injuries sustained during the incident, transforming minor wounds into life-threatening situations.
Kummer remarked, “For those who say gun violence is a complicated issue, it isn’t. This is a public health issue, and we know how to address public health issues. We follow the evidence.” He concluded by stressing that the evidence is clear: limiting access to certain weapons reduces the severity and frequency of injuries.
The growing momentum among medical professionals in Minnesota underscores a collective urgency to address gun violence as a pressing public health concern. With the support of numerous health care leaders, the call for legislative action is expected to resonate throughout the state as discussions around gun control continue.
