But so far the editorial boards of the journals of the AAP, AMA, and ACP have neither responded to nor acknowledged it. With their silence these editors have effectively ended whatever credibility they had in firearm research. That field of study is apparently useful to them only as a vehicle for the advancement of their political goal of gun prohibition. When the scientific process yields knowledge contrary to that goal, activists either attack its author13 or ignore it altogether. Such conduct is inexcusable in any area of scientific endeavor.
Honest scientists face conflicting data objectively.
And honest doctors do not use biased research to give false authority to their negative feelings about guns. Moral judgments about the right to self-defense, hunting, or other legitimate uses of guns are not acceptable subjects for a doctor talking to a patient. No doctor who knows firearms would base her advice on this frankly political literature. Unlike the AAP's Stop program, Eddie Eagle educational materials for children contain no political or moral judgment about guns. This NRA program has been honored by the National Safety Council, the American Legion, and the governments of 19 states.