The NRA sent a tweet this week asking doctors to stay in their lane when it comes to gun violence research. In response, the medical community has begun tweeting out images of gun violence saying “#ThisIsOurLane.”
Just days after a single gunman took the lives of 12 at a bar in Thousand Oaks, Calif., the National Rifle Association sent an angry tweet Thursday suggesting that the medical community stay out of the gun debate. “Someone should tell self-important anti-gun doctors to stay in their lane. Half of the articles in Annals of Internal Medicine are pushing for gun control,” wrote the NRA. “Most upsetting, however, the medical community seems to have consulted NO ONE but themselves.”
On Saturday, nurses, doctors, and emergency medical services who have spent years trying to save the lives of gun violence victims launched a viral campaign in response: “#ThisIsMyLane.”
“Hey @NRA, have you ever had to look a mother in the eye and tell her, ‘I’m sorry, we did everything we could, but your child died’ after they were shot? Because I have,” tweeted Elizabeth Laverriere, MD, of Johns Hopkins University. “Preventing gun violence is completely in my lane. No one should EVER hear that. #PedsICU #PedsAnes #thisismylane
