Philadelphia trauma surgeon says US gun violence can and must be tackled

Trauma surgeon Jessica Beard, of the Temple Hospital in North Philadelphia, researches how the US press covers gun related incidents. Here, she shows quotes from gunshot victims who feel that their cases are being misreported by the press. © RFI/Jan van der Made

The debate over gun control continues to divide the nation, with presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump taking opposing sides. In 2022, the United States recorded 48,204 gun-related deaths, an average of one death every 11 minutes. But it is doctors like Jessica Beard, regularly faced with the carnage, who are calling for measures to deal with the issue.

In the heart of North Philadelphia, where gunshots echo far too frequently, Dr. Jessica Beard stands on the front lines of America's gun violence epidemic.