Maine State Police Col. William Ross provides details on the shootings at two locations that left 18 dead. President Biden on Thursday called on Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, among other gun control measures, following the “senseless and tragic” mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, where authorities say a lone gunman killed at least 18 people at two different locations. In a written statement released by the White House, Biden urged Republican lawmakers to “fulfill their duty protect the American people” from gun violence. “Work with us to pass a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to enact universal background checks, to require safe storage of guns, and end immunity from liability for gun manufacturers,” Biden said. “This is the very least we owe every American who will now bear the scars — physical and mental — of this latest attack,” the statement continued.
At least 18 people were killed, and 13 more were wounded in shootings at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Just in Time Bowling on Wednesday night, Maine Gov. Janet Mills said at a Thursday morning press conference. It was a devastating event that has left the nation in mourning once again. President Biden expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, offering prayers for those who lost their lives and for the survivors facing shock and grief.
The suspect in the mass shooting has been identified as Robert Card, a 40-year-old individual with reported mental health issues. Card, who is currently on the run, has a background as a trained firearms instructor and is a Petroleum Supply Specialist in the Army Reserve. Law enforcement agencies have launched a massive manhunt to apprehend him.
Maine, a state with a strong culture of gun ownership tied to hunting and sport shooting, does not require a permit to carry guns. Despite recent attempts to tighten gun laws, such as proposals for background checks and a ban on bump stocks, these measures have failed to pass.
President Biden’s call for action on gun control comes at a time when the nation is grappling with a rising number of mass shootings. He is urging Republican lawmakers to work together with Democrats to pass comprehensive gun control legislation, including bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and an end to immunity for gun manufacturers.
This tragic incident in Maine serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for stricter gun control measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all Americans. As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, the focus now turns to Congress and their response to President Biden’s plea for action.
