In the aftermath of a devastating mass shooting that claimed 18 lives and injured 13 others at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston on October 25, President Joe Biden made a heartfelt visit to Maine, meeting with families directly impacted by the tragic event. Standing outside the very bowling alley where the horrifying incident occurred, Biden renewed his passionate call for a ban on assault-style rifles, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action in the face of escalating gun violence.
“This tragedy opens painful, painful wounds all across the country,” stated President Biden as he addressed the grieving community. He stressed that regardless of political affiliations, the pressing issue at hand was safeguarding the freedom of ordinary citizens to frequent places like bowling alleys, restaurants, schools, and churches without fear of being gunned down.
The assailant, identified as a 40-year-old US Army reservist named Robert Card, carried out the deadly rampage, sparking a three-day manhunt that sent shockwaves through the tight-knit town of Lewiston. The attack commenced at Just-In-Time Recreation, a venue hosting bowling leagues, before the gunman targeted the nearby Schemengees Bar & Grille, where a cornhole tournament was in progress. Among the victims were a grandfather, a promising young bowler, and four members of a deaf cornhole team, leaving the community in mourning.
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Local resident Sean Gosselin, reflecting on the tragedy, shared the town’s struggle to return to normalcy while paying homage to the victims. “It’s symbolic of resilience,” he remarked, noting how the town united to support their local high school football team, the Lewiston Blue Devils, in a display of perseverance despite the lingering sorrow.
President Biden’s visit highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive gun reform in the United States. Despite his calls for action, he acknowledged the challenges of implementing substantial measures, especially when faced with opposition. He also demanded accountability, urging Republican lawmakers to hold gun manufacturers legally responsible for the consequences of their products.
Maine’s Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, expressed gratitude for President Biden’s steadfast support during this difficult time. Meanwhile, questions lingered about how the shooter, Robert Card, was able to legally obtain firearms despite warnings from his Army Reserve unit about his mental health issues.
In the wake of this devastating tragedy, the nation mourns, and calls for stricter gun control measures grow louder. President Biden’s visit to Lewiston serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for bipartisan action to prevent future horrors and protect the lives of Americans nationwide.
