Maine shooting: Rep. Jared Golden calls for assault-style weapons ban in wake of attack

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) called for assault-style weapons to be banned after a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, left 18 people dead and over a dozen hurt.

Lewiston is located in Golden’s district, so he joined a press conference on Thursday following Wednesday’s shooting. He took the occasion to apologize for his past decision to oppose an assault-style weapons ban and said he is now in favor of one.

JAMAAL BOWMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO PULLING FIRE ALARM AND AGREES TO PAY FINE

“Sometimes things happen that bring your worst nightmares to life. Yesterday this is what happened in Lewiston. At a time like this, a leader is forced to grapple with things that are far greater than him or herself,” Golden said. “Humility is called for while accountability is sought by the victims of tragedies such as this one.”

“I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war, like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime,” he continued. “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.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“For the good of my community, I will work with any colleague to get this done in the time I have left in Congress,” Golden added. “To the people of Lewiston, my constituents throughout the district, to the families who lost loved ones, and to those who have been harmed, I asked for forgiveness and support as I seek to put an end to these terrible shootings. In the days to come, I will give everything I have to support this community to recover.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) also spoke, agreeing with the need for some regulations but pushing back on a total ban.