MADISON – WI – Following Representative Shelia Stubbs Acceptance of American College of Physicians Wisconsin Legislator of the Year Award this past weekend. Representative Shelia Stubbs released the following statement:
I am so grateful and truly honored to accept this award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Physicians this past weekend. As a legislator dedicated to eradicating the rampant gun violence that troubles our city of Madison and the nation as a whole, I appreciate the Wisconsin Chapter’s diligence on this critical issue. Constant, unmitigated gun violence is of the greatest threats to safety in our city and in cities across the country, and I am tired of seeing the lives of our community members cut short nearly every day.
Gun reform is not merely a political issue: it is a public health crisis. Let us not forget that our youth are disproportionately affected by gun violence. Gun violence is now the LEADING cause of death among our children and teens in Wisconsin. This grim reality, however, is not an inevitability that we must accept. There are simple, common-sense steps we can take as legislators to prevent gun violence and help keep our communities safer for decades to come. That is why I introduced AB 368, a bill that will require background checks for every gun sale in Wisconsin. Background checks ensure that the rights of responsible gun owners are respected, while also preventing future tragedies. For a better Wisconsin, we must pass legislation like AB 368, but we can’t do that without bipartisan support.
I would like to thank the Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Physicians once again for designating me their Legislator of the Year and for their continuing work against the vital threat gun violence poses to our collective health. Also special thanks to Dr. Sophie Kramer, MD, FACP, Dr. Siobhan Wilson, MD, PhD, FACP, Dr. Mara Terras, MD, FACP, and Dr. Ann Maguire, MD, MPH, FACP (ACP-WI Governor; Milwaukee) for hosting me.
Every day we fail to make change, we fail our people. We allow the next violent individual a chance to wreak havoc, to forever alter and end lives. This is a call to action. To every Wisconsinite, whether or not you own a gun, whether you are a Republican or a Democrat; we must act. None of us should accept the senseless gun violence that plagues our state. Enough is enough.
