Baltimore Healthcare System Engages in Anti-Gun Activism

There is a tension right now between the healthcare industry and the firearm industry.

That’s because bad people use guns to do bad things, which means the victims of those bad things end up in front of doctors. Doctors, in turn, take what they see, internalize it, and use it to spur action. 

Where there’s a problem is that these physicians typically only see one side of things. They see the results of a shooting, but most don’t bother to learn the nuances involved in how those bad people got guns in the first place, how the laws may have made it easier for them to do bad things or anything of the sort.

Instead, we get stuff like this.

Earlier this year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory declaring firearm violence a public health crisis. For healthcare systems like LifeBridge Health, this came as no surprise. Instead, the recognition underscored what we already know: the ripple effects of gun violence extend far beyond the moment of an attack. 

Every day, we see the physical toll in our emergency departments, where medical teams fight to provide life-saving care. We see the emotional devastation at victim services centers, where forensic coordinators and nurse examiners support survivors and their families. And we see widespread trauma in our communities, where programs like Safe Streets work tirelessly to interrupt cycles of violence and build safer neighborhoods.  

These efforts are vital, but they address symptoms rather than root causes. So, LifeBridge Health is launching an initiative to confront one of the systemic drivers of firearm violence in our communities: illegal gun trafficking. 

Now, this is at CBS News, but this is a press release. That’s all this is. There’s no actual reporting here, so there’s no effort to actually present anything neutrally.

Not that CBS News would bother with trying to appear neutral either, mind you, but still…

The so-called Iron Pipeline is who LifeBridge opts to target and blame for Baltimore’s problems. And much of what they say they want to do is raise awareness and inspire action.

That’s all fine, I suppose, except they also touch on what kind of action they want to see.

How You Can Help

LifeBridge Health’s mission is to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. Addressing gun violence is an integral part of that commitment, and we invite you to join us in taking action.

Visit StopTheIronPipeline.org to learn more about the initiative. On the site, you’ll find:

• Our plans to put pressure on Iron Pipeline states and pursue collaborative legal action alongside others affected.
• A petition to advocate for new policies in Maryland.
• Resources to connect with your state and national representatives.
• A platform to share your story about how gun violence has impacted your life.

We also encourage you to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #StopTheIronPipeline. Personal stories add powerful, real-world voices to the push for change and inspire others to take action.  

Let’s understand that Maryland is one of the most gun-controlled states in the nation. They have extensive gun control laws, including laws regarding the purchase of firearms. All gun sales must go through an FFL, for example. All handgun purchases require a gun permit before you can buy that firearm.

In short, they’ve done plenty and yet, Baltimore is still a violent place.

What’s more, the buying of guns for the purpose of transporting them to another state for sale is already illegal. I’m not sure how you can do much else. Plus, a lot of those guns are stolen in the first place. I’m pretty sure making it double illegal to steal guns or something isn’t exactly going to dissuade anyone.

As for putting pressure on so-called Iron Pipeline states, let’s keep in mind that lawmakers generally don’t give a fig about what people who can’t vote for or against them have to say. That’s because lawmakers in those states don’t represent people in Baltimore. 

Especially since those they would need to pressure in the first place recognize that the issue isn’t that someone doesn’t require a permit to purchase a firearm or anything of that sort, but that Maryland has ignored any approach that doesn’t involve gun control.

But let’s also understand that LifeBridge doesn’t seem to understand anything beyond “guns are coming from other states. We should stop that” and not how or why this is happening.

This is why the healthcare industry is becoming so distrusted, particularly by the gun rights community. They keep sticking their noses into the debate, pretending they have the utmost authority, all while not even understanding what they’re talking about.