New Hampshire Medical Society and New Hampshire Psychiatric Society’s Joint Statement in Response to Recent Coverage of Gun Violence Prevention Policies

Dr. Maria Boylan, president of the New Hampshire Medical Society, and Dr. Christopher Mills, president of the New Hampshire Psychiatric Society, released the following joint statement in response to the recent representation of both societies’ gun violence prevention policies:

This week, members of the New Hampshire Legislature debated measures that sought to address gun violence in our state. It was stated that the New Hampshire Medical Society (NHMS) and the New Hampshire Psychiatric Society (NHPS) hold a policy position that would violate the privacy rights of law-abiding citizens and gun owners in our state. The leadership of the NHMS and NHPS would like to make clear that this is not a policy position we hold. 

The New Hampshire Medical Society and the New Hampshire Psychiatric Society takes pride in the diverse membership and voices we bring to the table in forming our advocacy efforts and policy positions, members from all walks of life, backgrounds, and political ideologies. Although we, alongside medical organizations across the U.S., including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Public Health Association (APHA), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognize gun violence as a public health crisis and support many gun violence prevention measures, we also recognize and respect individuals’ constitutional rights.

We are appreciative of all the work legislators, advocates, and the public have done to address this epidemic and we look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan and bicameral way to combat this urgent public health crisis.

For questions or further information regarding this joint statement, please contact NHMS’ Director of Advocacy and Media Relations, Ava Hawkes, at ava.hawkes@nhms.org.