President Biden Visits Maine in Wake of State's Deadliest Mass Shooting, Calls for Tougher Gun Control Laws

President Biden's visit to Maine post-massacre intensifies the gun control debate as he calls on Congress to act, demanding steps like assault weapons ban, universal background checks and adoption of red flag laws.

President Biden has travelled to Lewiston, Maine, to console survivors and the community affected by the deadliest mass shooting in the state's history, which resulted in 18 deaths. He was accompanied by the first lady, Jill Biden, and took part in meetings with family members of the victims, as well as first responders.
Echoing the sentiments of White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden called on Congress to enact stricter gun control measures. The list includes an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and the adoption of red flag laws across states to help reduce gun violence incidences. These measures could have potentially saved lives in the Lewiston tragedy.
The alleged shooter, Robert Card, a 40-year-old Army Reserve member, used an AR-style rifle during the massacre. Card had been sent to a mental health facility earlier in the year due to concerns about his mental stability, but was able to access an arsenal of weapons, indicative of gaps in the current gun control system in the state.
Maine, a state with relaxed gun laws and a strong culture of gun rights, has seen a shift in political dynamics following the shooting. Representative Jared Golden, formerly an A-rated advocate for gun rights, voiced regret for his previous stand and announced his support for an assault weapons ban.
President Biden has repeatedly addressed the issue of gun violence since assuming office, signing both executive orders and a bipartisan gun-control bill last year. The bill incorporated new firearms restrictions and $15 billion in mental health and school security funding. Biden has also recently established the White House office for gun violence prevention.