I know you have been hearing from me a lot lately, but we're at the tipping point. This morning, 68 leading medical and public health groups representing health professionals across the country joined with members of the scientific community in a major sign-on letter to urge Congress to strike the effective federal ban on gun research from the Omnibus and fund the research we need to save lives. Their calls echo thousands of physicians, more than 100 of our country’s leading public health researchers, 110 members of Congress, President Obama, Leader Pelosi, Rep. Dickey, and come just as Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi hammer out the final Omnibus details including the ban. Stand with us, and take two minutes to Call Congress. Even though it’s the weekend there has never been a more important time to weigh in. http://act.drsforamerica.org/call/tell-congress-endtheban/ After you've made calls, please help amplify our message on Twitter and Facebook. Sample posts and a graphic are below. 68 medical and public health groups agree it's time to #EndTheBan http://act.drsforamerica.org/go/1389?t=5&akid=1556.50748.UNYEAc. Call Congress TODAY: http://act.drsforamerica.org/go/1377?t=7&akid=1556.50748.UNYEAc After nearly 20 years, we can #EndTheBan right now. Call Congress and tell them to take action: http://act.drsforamerica.org/go/1377?t=10&akid=1556.50748.UNYEAc The author of the CDC gun research ban says it's time to #EndTheBan. Call Congress NOW: http://act.drsforamerica.org/go/1390?t=13&akid=1556.50748.UNYEAc The NRA shouldn't prevent critical research on gun violence. Tell Congress to #EndTheBan: http://act.drsforamerica.org/go/1391?t=16&akid=1556.50748.UNYEAc Thank you for your action. Let's see this through! Sarah ~~~ Read the sign-on letter sent to House and Senate leadership and all members of Congress: Medical and public health organizations representing health professionals across the country join with members of the scientific community to urge you to end the federal ban on gun violence research and fund this critical work. Gun violence is a serious public health epidemic resulting in the senseless deaths of 90 Americans every day. As health care providers and public health professionals, we are overwhelmed in our emergency departments, clinics, offices, and communities with the victims of mass shootings, homicides, suicides, accidental shootings, and injuries every day. As we work to address the devastating and long- lasting emotional effects of gun violence on victims and their families, we are hampered by the lack of evidence- based research to use to point our communities towards proven gun violence prevention programs. The effective ban on federal research has stymied our progress on gun violence prevention for the past 20 years. Former Representative Jay Dickey (R-AR), author of the current language that bans gun violence research, recently noted that, “it is my position that somehow or someway we should slowly but methodically fund [gun] research until a solution is reached. Doing nothing is no longer an acceptable solution.” Thousands of physicians, more than 100 of our country’s leading public health researchers, 110 members of Congress, President Obama, Rep. Dickey, and the undersigned organizations are calling on you to allow research to resume. Americans deserve to feel safe knowing that we are working with the best tools and information in the fight to reduce gun violence. Sincerely, Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health Academic Pediatric Association Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, Inc. American Academy of Pediatrics American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry American College of Emergency Physicians American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine American College of Physicians American College of Preventive Medicine American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Geriatrics Society American Medical Women's Association American Pediatric Society American Psychiatric Association American Psychological Association American Psychosomatic Society American Public Health Association American Society of Hematology American Sociological Association American Thoracic Society Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians California Public Health Association-North Care for the Homeless Child Welfare League of America Children’s Defense Fund Commission on the Public's Health System Committee of Interns and Residents Consortium of Social Science Associations Delaware Academy of Medicine Delaware Public Health Association Doctors Council SEIU Doctors for America Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences Futures Without Violence Health Care for the Homeless of Maryland Minority Health Institute National AHEC Organization National Association of County and City Health Officials National Association of Medical Examiners National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health National Association of Social Workers National Association of State Head Injury Administrators National Child Abuse Coalition National Health Care for the Homeless Council National Hispanic Medical Association National Medical Council on Gun Violence National Network of Public Health Institutes National Physicians Alliance National Violence Prevention Network Pediatric Policy Council Physicians for a National Health Program - NY Metro Chapter Physicians for Reproductive Health Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence Prevention Institute Public Health Institute Research!America Safe States Alliance Saint Joseph's Health System School-Based Health Alliance SEIU Nurse Alliance Society for Pediatric Research Society of General Internal Medicine Stop It Now! Suicide Awareness Voices of Education Trust for America’s Health Virginia Public Health Association Washington State Public Health Association