Petition from The Women Doctors 

We, The Women Doctors (TWD), are a physician-led group of healthcare professionals across the United States, dedicated to creating opportunities to grow and thrive. We are also committed to advocating for positive cultural change in our communities. We call on our local and state government to support Governor Gavin Newsom’s mission to reform gun laws on a national level. 

The recent mass shooting tragedies in Monterey Park of Southern California (1/21/2023), and in Half Moon Bay of Northern California (1/23/2023) are preventable tragedies. 

California is recognized to have the strongest gun laws in the country, yet mass shootings continue to senselessly accrue preventable deaths. It is clear that gun violence is a public health crisis that needs to be addressed with emergency and urgency. The solution to this complex and important issue needs to be comprehensive and culturally sensitive. Addressing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety have been considered largely impervious, especially in elderly Asian communities. Mental health illnesses are often left untreated due to cultural barriers, where the fear of stigmatization can perpetuate a dangerous pattern of shamed silence. As a result, individuals who are in need of community and medical support may be suffering alone, unaware of the important resources available. 

Vehemently, we petition Governor Newsom and local government officials to further explore improvements in gun laws and expand awareness of mental health resources in a culturally sensitive manner. 

It is our collective belief that more comprehensive strategies need to be put in place to keep our communities safe from gun violence. This includes implementing gun violence reduction strategies that will interrupt gun sources, creating policies that will deter gun possession and carrying, as well as identifying community partners to help carry out culturally competent education initiatives and alternative prevention strategies. As physicians, we demand that Gun Violence be recognized as a Public Health Threat. We must strive to address the underlying causes in order to adequately eliminate it. This includes recognizing that underlying disease may trigger tragic mental health crisises, and may be related to difficult domestic and suboptimal workplace environments. By addressing these complexities with a comprehensive approach that includes mental health awareness and social wellness initiatives, perhaps we can one day ensure that our communities are safer from gun-related incidents.

We implore all representatives at city hall and beyond it; federal as well as state governments - to come together now, and work toward protecting us all from senseless shootings across this country.

Please join us in supporting such reforms today.