More than three dozen medical organizations are endorsing a set of policy proposals aimed at reducing gun violence in the U.S., including comprehensive background checks for gun purchases and more federal funding for research into the causes of firearm injuries and deaths.

In a joint statement Wednesday, the organizations expressed their support for a paper recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that listed several policy prescriptions for gun violence. The authors were responding to comments by National Rifle Association that medical experts should "stay in their lane" rather than produce research about guns.

In addition to background checks and research funding, the paper suggests prohibiting convicted domestic abusers and stalkers from owning guns, holding gun owners legally accountable if they do not safely store their firearms, improved access to mental health care and the elimination of "gag laws" to prevent doctors from speaking to patients. http://bit.ly/35GUU2L

"As physicians, we've seen the consequences of unchecked gun violence first hand—inside and outside of the exam room, and we have a responsibility to our patients and the communities we serve to speak out and call for measures to mitigate this crisis," said Robert McLean, president of the American College of Physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and American Public Health Association were among the groups that endorsed the paper. http://bit.ly/2IZzBj5