Maine Congressman Calls for Assault Weapons Ban After Mass Shooting

Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, has abruptly reversed his stance on gun control after a mass shooting in his district. Golden, who represents a largely rural district that twice voted for Donald Trump, had previously opposed an assault weapons ban. However, after the shooting in Lewiston, which killed at least 18 people and injured 13 more, Golden said that he now supports a ban.

Golden said that he regretted his past opposition to an assault weapons ban and that he had a “false confidence that our community was above this.” He also said that he would now work with any colleague to pass an assault weapons ban in the time he has left in Congress.

Golden’s reversal comes as Democrats and Republicans have been largely divided on gun control. Democrats have urged restrictions on firearms to curb frequent shootings in America, while GOP lawmakers often argue such regulations are unconstitutional and ineffective.

Maine’s moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins is calling for more modest gun control measures, such as restrictions on high-capacity magazines. However, President Joe Biden has urged Republican lawmakers to “fulfil their duty protect the American people” by supporting an assault weapons ban.

It is unclear whether Golden’s reversal will have a significant impact on the debate over gun control in Congress. However, it is noteworthy that Golden is one of the few remaining Democratic congressmen opposed to sweeping gun control measures. His reversal suggests that there is growing support for an assault weapons ban, even among Democrats who represent conservative districts.