Eight years ago today, 20 children and 6 adults were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary. Far too many children have been injured or killed by gun violence since then and too little action has been taken.

Many children are not in school this year, but they are still being killed or injured by guns. Every day, 87 children in the United States are killed or injured by guns.

Pediatricians regularly treat children injured or killed by firearms: toddlers who find loaded guns in the home; children who experience gun violence in their communities or at school; and adolescents who attempt suicide.

Gun violence is a public health crisis that jeopardizes children's health and safety.

Just like any other public health crisis affecting children, we need a rigorous scientific approach informed by research that can keep children safe and promote their lifelong health and well-being.

Exposure to gun violence in disproportionately affected communities contributes to toxic stress and other health inequities with lifelong implications.

A public health approach to gun violence prevention is urgently needed to address the disproportionate burden of this epidemic on communities of color and promote child health equity.

Elected leaders must take common-sense steps to address gun violence as a public health issue and keep children, families and communities safe. https://services.aap.org/en/advocacy/gun-violence-prevention/