Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Expresses Grief, Anger for Maine Communities

Washington DC — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the gun violence prevention organization GIFFORDS, released the following statement after the 565th mass shooting in the US this year. In Lewiston, Maine, a gunman opened fire in a bowling alley and restaurant, killing 18 people and injuring 13 more. He’s still at large, causing schools and local businesses to shut down.

“It should have been a fun night for families at the bowling alley and friends at a bar. Instead, it ended with scenes of people running away while law enforcement rushed in toward the danger. I wish I could say that the stories we’ve read last night and today are unthinkable or unimaginable. But we are all too familiar with these horrific scenes.

“We will see parents in parking lots crying, desperate for information about their kids. We will see loved ones talk about how their lives are forever changed because of senseless violence enabled by weapons of war. We will keep reading about how gun violence is the number one cause of death for America’s kids.

“But we can decide enough is enough. We do not have to accept these horrific acts of violence as routine, and we must never stop demanding that our leaders not only acknowledge this devastating problem, but take long overdue action to keep our children safe.”

Maine received an F from GIFFORDS Law Center’s Annual Gun Law Scorecard. 

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