WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed a 2024 advisory from its website that called gun violence a public health crisis. This was done under orders from the Trump administration.
An HHS spokesperson said the agency was following President Trump's executive order on protecting Second Amendment rights, which allow Americans to own firearms.
The deleted web page had information on gun violence in the U.S. and a 40-page report from former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, published in June 2024. The page was taken down over the weekend, according to the internet archive Wayback Machine.
Murthy's advisory had called for more funding for research, better mental health care, and safer gun storage to reduce gun violence.
Last month, President Trump ordered a review of all gun-related policies and documents from former President Biden's administration. His executive order requires officials to create a plan to remove any rules that may limit Americans' gun rights.
