Is gun violence a public health issue?

There's a flaw in this premise #1 right at the beginning of this article from Forbes:

Which of these things is not like the other?

Measles
Influenza
Tuberculosis
Murder

If you picked #4, “murder,” you’re right. The first three are medical diseases. Epidemics are caused by infectious agents transmitted between people, often without their knowledge.

If intentionally causing disease, such as in bioterrorism, that absolutely is murder and there are many laws, restrictions, and regulations on who can purchase, handle, and manipulate infectious agents. Malicious and negligent misuse of infectious agents can result in prison sentences, just ask the guy who mailed the anthrax-laced envelopes (scratch that, he committed suicide as authorities closed in on him as the prime suspect). There are restrictions and regulations on who can operate a vehicle, who can fly an airplane, and who can grow cultures of ebola, and the violation of those can result in punishment if it causes harm to another human.

I agree with premise #2: passing more laws doesn't necessarily reduce gun violence. There need to be more large-population studies, and unfortunately from what little I've read, attempts at that have been suppressed by those who fear their results. I sincerely hope that that is not the case, as one who believes their position is just and valid should never fear more data.

Premise #3 is I think entirely the fault of our sensationalist mainstream media. I think "gun violence" (I'm not a fan of that term either, but can't think of another that is better suited at this moment) deserves to be considered under public health. Death, via whatever means or categorization, must be studied, determined how and why it occurred, and attempts to minimize risk leading to that type of death. It's not much different than regulating carcinogens or pathogens if viewed in that light.

Premise #4: the author is stating that death by gunshot when justified is acceptable. That is a personal opinion and not one that supports his argument that it's not a health care crisis. Murder rates may be decreasing, but it doesn't mean that it's still not a problem that should be addressed.

Whenever anyone is murdered, it has an impact on society. Not to sound mushy and soft-hearted, but it seriously affects the mental and emotional health and well-being of that person's loved ones, may even cause financial and physical hardship. That cannot be discounted.

I think this topic deserves some further research and deeper thought. Thank you ZHawke for opening it up.