Maine lawmaker apologizes for 'failure' to pass tougher gun reform in wake of massacre

He's failed and sorry. And after Wednesday night's mass shooting in his hometown — he wants to make things right by fixing gun laws.

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) came forward on Thursday with a mea culpa and admitted to a marked change of heart from past postures where he was laissez faire on gun laws.

"I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war like the assault rifle he used to carry out this crime," the politician and former Marine infantryman said. "The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure.

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"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, Maine."

Minutes before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, a gunman entered a bowling alley blasting a rifle with hi-capacity magazine inside a Lewiston bowling alley and shortly afterward a nearby bar.

Maine State Police confirmed that 18 people were killed in the shootings; seven died at the bowling alley, eight died at the bar, and three others that were taken to local hospitals succumbed to their wounds.

The sentiment expressed by Golden on Thursday was a sharp turn from his response to shooting down two gun reform bills back in 2021 that would have helped to put stronger background checks on gun purchases.

"Many of my constituents have a proud tradition of responsible gun ownership," he wrote in a statement after failing to support two firearms bills in the House, H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446.

"For us, firearms are a part of daily life. From hunting to competitive shooting to self-defense, we believe that law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to access and possess firearms."

As to why he decided to not get on board then, Golden explained that there were unchanged form bills broughtto a vote back in 2019, and he also stressed that there are already strong enough laws on the books to protect the public from harm.

"I voted against today's bills in February of 2019, and they remain unchanged since that time," he wrote then. "While many of my constituents support the background check system we currently have in law, this bill would require background checks for personal transfers, including common loans and trades between individuals."

So Golden's public call of duty to now strengthen gun laws comes with a solemn demeanor and while the "person of interest" Card remains on the loose and as a sweeping manhunt attempts bring him into custody.

"For the good of my community, I will work with any colleague to get this done for as long as I have left in congress," he said Thursday.

"To the people of Lewiston, to the constituents throughout the second district, to the families who lost loved ones, and to those who have been hardened — I ask 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 sipper this community's recovery."