Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
As a pediatrician, I spent years looking at firearm safety through a clinical lens—as a major public health crisis and a tragic statistic. But after practicing in South Florida during the Parkland shooting and becoming a mother myself, the stakes became deeply personal. My husband is an ER doctor who sees the devastating aftermath of gun violence firsthand, and as a parent, I refuse to accept that this is now the leading cause of death for American children. We cannot just treat the symptoms of this crisis in our clinics; we have to get out ahead of it, which is why I expanded my platform to advocate for change outside the exam room.
Connecting with grassroots leaders like Angela Ferrell-Zabala reminds us that we don’t have to succumb to helplessness or political polarization. Real change happens in our everyday lives—like normalizing a simple question about secure firearm storage before a playdate, or supporting local legislation in our own backyards. Advocacy is a massive ecosystem, and as parents and healthcare providers, our voices carry immense weight. By breaking down political divides and working together, we can move past the noise and build a world where our children are safe to just be kids.
What we discuss:
Why treating gun violence as a public health issue is the key to real safety reform.
The truth behind the leading cause of death for children in America and how to change it.
How Moms Demand Action became a leading volunteer movement against gun violence.
Easy, non-confrontational ways to ask other parents about safe firearm storage before playdates.
Why ER doctors, pediatricians, and parents must work together to prevent gun injuries.
Breaking down the impact of America’s historic federal gun safety legislation.
How grassroots advocates are successfully outlawing 3D-printed firearms and machine gun conversion kits.
How to find common ground and have constructive conversations with responsible gun owners.
To connect with Angela Ferrell-Zabala follow her on Instagram @momsdemandaction and @FerrellZabala, check out all her resources at momsdemandaction.org and text “READY” to 64433.
00:00 - The Public Health Crisis of Gun Violence
01:15 - Welcoming Angela Ferrell-Zabala & The Mission of Moms Demand Action
03:14 - Shifting from Helplessness to Action in Gun Advocacy
05:56 - A Pediatrician’s and ER Doctor's Perspective on the Ground
07:44 - Understanding the Vast Scope of Daily Gun Violence
10:03 - De-polarizing the Conversation and Finding Common Ground
12:35 - Progress and Bipartisan Legislative Wins
14:46 - Future Priorities: Technology, Ghost Guns, and Trafficking
16:46 - The Responsibility of Living in Community
17:46 - Practical Ways to Get Involved and Secure Storage
20:06 - Finding Joy and Connection Amid Heavy Advocacy Work
Check out all of the PedsDocTalk Courses for more guidance, tips, and support during parenthood. Visit pedsdoctalk.com/courses
Sign up for the PedsDocTalk newsletter to stay updated on the latest news on all things child health and parenting! Here is the link: pedsdoctalk.com/newsletter
SUBSCRIBE to PedsDocTalkTV to stay up to date! youtube.com/@pedsdoctalk
Listen to The PedsDocTalk Podcast available on all Podcast apps.
Many more resources at pedsdoctalk.com
Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk?tab=collections (paid link)
FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: instagram.com/pedsdoctalk
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@pedsdoctalk
Facebook: facebook.com/pedsdoctalk
As a pediatrician, I spent years looking at firearm safety through a clinical lens—as a major public health crisis and a tragic statistic. But after practicing in South Florida during the Parkland shooting and becoming a mother myself, the stakes became deeply personal. My husband is an ER doctor who sees the devastating aftermath of gun violence firsthand, and as a parent, I refuse to accept that this is now the leading cause of death for American children. We cannot just treat the symptoms of this crisis in our clinics; we have to get out ahead of it, which is why I expanded my platform to advocate for change outside the exam room.
Connecting with grassroots leaders like Angela Ferrell-Zabala reminds us that we don’t have to succumb to helplessness or political polarization. Real change happens in our everyday lives—like normalizing a simple question about secure firearm storage before a playdate, or supporting local legislation in our own backyards. Advocacy is a massive ecosystem, and as parents and healthcare providers, our voices carry immense weight. By breaking down political divides and working together, we can move past the noise and build a world where our children are safe to just be kids.
What we discuss:
Why treating gun violence as a public health issue is the key to real safety reform.
The truth behind the leading cause of death for children in America and how to change it.
How Moms Demand Action became a leading volunteer movement against gun violence.
Easy, non-confrontational ways to ask other parents about safe firearm storage before playdates.
Why ER doctors, pediatricians, and parents must work together to prevent gun injuries.
Breaking down the impact of America’s historic federal gun safety legislation.
How grassroots advocates are successfully outlawing 3D-printed firearms and machine gun conversion kits.
How to find common ground and have constructive conversations with responsible gun owners.
To connect with Angela Ferrell-Zabala follow her on Instagram @momsdemandaction and @FerrellZabala, check out all her resources at momsdemandaction.org and text “READY” to 64433.
00:00 - The Public Health Crisis of Gun Violence
01:15 - Welcoming Angela Ferrell-Zabala & The Mission of Moms Demand Action
03:14 - Shifting from Helplessness to Action in Gun Advocacy
05:56 - A Pediatrician’s and ER Doctor's Perspective on the Ground
07:44 - Understanding the Vast Scope of Daily Gun Violence
10:03 - De-polarizing the Conversation and Finding Common Ground
12:35 - Progress and Bipartisan Legislative Wins
14:46 - Future Priorities: Technology, Ghost Guns, and Trafficking
16:46 - The Responsibility of Living in Community
17:46 - Practical Ways to Get Involved and Secure Storage
20:06 - Finding Joy and Connection Amid Heavy Advocacy Work
Check out all of the PedsDocTalk Courses for more guidance, tips, and support during parenthood. Visit pedsdoctalk.com/courses
Sign up for the PedsDocTalk newsletter to stay updated on the latest news on all things child health and parenting! Here is the link: pedsdoctalk.com/newsletter
SUBSCRIBE to PedsDocTalkTV to stay up to date! youtube.com/@pedsdoctalk
Listen to The PedsDocTalk Podcast available on all Podcast apps.
Many more resources at pedsdoctalk.com
Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk?tab=collections (paid link)
FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: instagram.com/pedsdoctalk
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@pedsdoctalk
Facebook: facebook.com/pedsdoctalk
