LEWISTON, Maine — U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Lewiston Democrat, mentioned Thursday he was reversing his place on banning assault weapons, saying a horrific mass taking pictures in his hometown led him to imagine the firearms must be prohibited.
Golden was considered one of 4 Democrats who voted in July 2022 in opposition to federal laws that sought to ban sure kinds of semi-automatic weapons. But talking to reporters inside Lewiston City Hall, Golden mentioned after moments just like the Wednesday mass taking pictures, “a leader is forced to grapple with things that are far greater than his or herself.”
It’s too quickly to inform if his swap will spark a motion, however he mentioned he should attempt.
“I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war, like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime,” he mentioned. “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.”
Golden mentioned he would work with any colleagues to “get this done in the time that I have left in Congress.”
“To the people of Lewiston, my constituents throughout the second district, to the families who lost loved ones, and to those who have been harmed, I ask for forgiveness and support as I seek to put an end to these terrible shootings,” he mentioned.
Golden’s reversal got here at practically the identical second Maine State Police mentioned they have been descending upon a house as they continued an enormous manhunt for Robert Card, a 40-year-old man recognized as a suspect in a mass taking pictures right here that left 18 individuals lifeless and 13 wounded.
The taking pictures shattered lives in Lewiston, surrounding communities, and Maine, mother and father with out youngsters and other people mourning the lack of their family members. Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins echoed sentiments Gov. Janet Mills expressed earlier Thursday, calling it a “dark day for the state of Maine.”
“This heinous attempt, which has robbed the lives of at least 18 Mainers and injured so many more, is the worst mass shooting that the state of Maine has ever experienced and could ever imagine,” Collins mentioned.
Collins didn’t say whether or not she would help banning assault rifles, as an alternative arguing federal lawmakers ought to outlaw high-capacity magazines.
“I think that would have more input and more effectiveness.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”