Democratic Congressman Jared Golden of Maine Calls for Assault Weapons Ban After Lewiston Mass Shootings

In a significant policy reversal, Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine has urged Congress to ban assault weapons in the aftermath of two devastating mass shootings that shook the city of Lewiston. Golden, who has previously opposed gun control measures, spoke at a news conference on Thursday, stating, “The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure, which is why I now call on the United States Congress to ban assault rifles like the one used by the sick perpetrator of this mass killing in my hometown of Lewiston, Maine.” This plea comes after a horrific incident where a gunman unleashed gunfire at a bowling alley and a restaurant in Lewiston, resulting in the loss of at least 18 lives and injuring 13 others. The suspect, believed to be 40-year-old Robert Card, remains at large.

Representative Golden’s decision to support a ban on assault weapons marks a significant shift in his stance on gun control. Previously, he had broken with his party to vote against gun control bills, including one that aimed to prohibit certain semi-automatic weapons. This bill was passed in the House after a series of mass shootings in different parts of the country. Additionally, he had voted against a House-passed bill that sought to raise the age limit for purchasing semi-automatic rifles and ban the sale of high-capacity magazines. Golden has now expressed his willingness to work with his colleagues to pass gun control measures, emphasizing the need to move beyond partisan debates and focus on substantial legislative actions that can effectively prevent individuals with violent intentions from obtaining or possessing weapons.

The Congressman’s call for an assault weapons ban comes after years of inaction in response to tragic mass shootings. Golden emphasized that it is not the time for bills that are destined to fail but rather for legislative actions with the potential to pass into law and advance efforts to curtail access to weapons for those with violent intent. This reversal in policy stance by Representative Golden highlights the growing urgency and concern surrounding gun control issues in the wake of the tragic events in Lewiston. It remains to be seen how this change will impact the ongoing debate on gun control in the United States.

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