LOS ANGELES — The Department of Health and Human Services recently removed a former surgeon general’s warning declaring gun violence a public health crisis.

In an email to Spectrum News, the department wrote, “HHS and the Office of the Surgeon General are complying with President Trump’s Executive Order on Protecting Second Amendment Rights.”

The executive order, which President Trump signed last month, directed the federal government to halt existing policies deemed to be in violation of the constitutional right to bear arms.

Glen Upshaw is a man who served time for armed robbery and assaults but now works in the community through an organization he founded called “Men of Influence” working to help prevent future gun violence.

He said removing the advisory may make fewer people in his community pay attention to the topic.

Forest Meadows is the CEO & Managing Partner of FT3 Tactical in Stanton. He is also a former cop with over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, including as the Deputy Chief of the Indio Police Department.

Meadows said he’s not surprised the advisory was removed because he says he feels the advisory, “…was more a political motivated than a common sense driven thing.”

He also added an advisory doesn’t tackle the root of the problem of gun violence and mental health and adds more focus should be put on training and education on the safe and proper handling and storing of firearms