Biden-Era Gun Advisory Scrubbed By Trump Administration

Man in suit with red tie speaking on stage.

President Trump’s administration has scrubbed a Biden-era gun violence advisory from federal websites, fundamentally shifting the government’s approach to firearms policy.

Key Takeaways

The Trump administration removed former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s advisory that labeled gun violence as a “public health crisis” from federal websites.
The removal follows President Trump’s executive order to protect Second Amendment rights and review federal actions that may infringe on constitutional gun rights.
The advisory page, which contained data on firearms as the leading cause of death for children and adolescents, was taken down between March 5 and March 15, 2025.
White House officials state that illegal violence is a crime issue requiring law enforcement solutions, not a public health approach.
The policy reversal highlights stark differences between the Trump and Biden administrations’ approaches to gun policy and Second Amendment rights.

Trump Administration Defends Second Amendment Rights

As part of a broader effort to affirm Second Amendment protections, the Trump administration has removed a controversial gun violence advisory from Department of Health and Human Services websites. The advisory, implemented by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy during the Biden administration, had characterized firearm violence as a public health emergency requiring government intervention through various gun control measures. The removal occurred between March 5 and March 15 as the administration conducts a comprehensive review of federal firearms regulations.

This action stems directly from President Trump’s executive order aimed at protecting Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The order mandates a review of all federal actions to identify any that might infringe on Second Amendment rights, with particular scrutiny of gun safety legislation implemented during President Biden’s term. The Biden-era advisory had advocated for controversial measures including banning certain firearms, universal background checks, and penalties for what it deemed unsafe firearm storage.

White House Emphasizes Law Enforcement Approach

The Trump administration has made clear that it views gun violence through a different lens than its predecessor. White House spokesperson Kush Desai articulated the administration’s position on addressing violence in America, emphasizing the role of law enforcement rather than public health interventions.

“Illegal violence of any sort is a crime issue, and as he again made clear during his recent speech at the Department of Justice, President Trump is committed to Making America Safe Again by empowering law enforcement to uphold law and order,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai.

The removed advisory page had contained extensive data on shootings, firearm suicides, and impacts on American youth. It highlighted that firearms have become the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1 to 19 in the United States. Critics of the advisory, including the National Rifle Association, had characterized it as part of what they described as the Biden administration’s broader agenda against lawful gun owners.

Under one of the new mandates from the Trump Administration and in support of gun owners’ rights, a webpage on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on "Firearm Violence in America" has been taken down.https://t.co/L9q3wivRKf

— FOX59 News (@FOX59) March 18, 2025

Contrasting Approaches to Gun Policy

The advisory removal represents a fundamental philosophical difference between the current and previous administrations. While Biden established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Trump administration has prioritized constitutional rights and law enforcement solutions. Biden had pursued increased firearm regulations, including advocacy for banning certain weapons and repealing liability protections for gun manufacturers, approaches the current administration is now reassessing.

“This is an extension of the Biden Administration’s war on law-abiding gun owners. America has a crime problem caused by criminals,” said the National Rifle Association (NRA).

The debate over whether to treat gun violence as a public health issue remains contentious. Public health advocates argue this framing allows for data-driven, preventative approaches that transcend political divisions. However, Second Amendment supporters contend this perspective inappropriately medicalizes a constitutional right. The removal of the advisory signals that the administration has definitively chosen a side in this ongoing national conversation.

Public Opinion and Statistical Context

The issue remains complex in terms of public sentiment. According to surveys referenced in the now-removed advisory, over half of Americans have experienced a firearm-related incident, and 61% believe it is too easy to legally obtain a gun in the United States. There is substantial public support for measures like universal background checks, with one Fox News survey indicating 87% of Americans favor such requirements. In 2023, the United States recorded nearly 47,000 firearm-related deaths, with the majority being suicides.

“People want to be able to walk through their neighborhoods and be safe. America should be a place where all of us can go to school, go to work, go to the supermarket, go to our house of worship, without having to worry that that’s going to put our life at risk,” said Vivek Murthy.

The Trump administration’s action reflects its commitment to distinguishing between lawful gun ownership and criminal activity, with critics suggesting there is insufficient correlation between legal gun ownership and gun violence. As the executive order continues to be implemented, further policy changes related to firearms regulation and Second Amendment protections are anticipated.