President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid their respects at a memorial outside Schemengees Bar and Grille, one of the locations of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting. The couple placed a bouquet of white flowers at the makeshift memorial and hugged Kathy Lebel, the bar’s owner. Eight people were killed at the bar, and seven more died at the nearby Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, with three others dying at hospitals. Biden’s visit to Lewiston aimed to provide comfort to the victims’ families and show support for the grieving community.

Despite bipartisan gun safety legislation passed last year and a series of executive orders by the president, gun violence remains an ongoing issue in the United States. Biden expressed his condolences outside the bowling alley, standing in front of police officers, EMTs, and other responders. He affirmed that he and Jill are there on behalf of the American people to assure the community that they are not alone.

In addition to the fatalities, 13 individuals were injured in the shootings. The gunman, Robert Card, a 40-year-old firearms instructor, was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after a dayslong search. Authorities revealed that Card’s family had alerted the local sheriff about his deteriorating mental health five months prior to the rampage. He had undergone a mental health evaluation following erratic behavior at a training facility.

The town of Lewiston displayed signs calling for the improvement of the mental health system and urged people to “Be nice.” Inside the local elementary school, students had left messages in the hallways expressing solidarity and safety.

President Biden has made it a priority to combat gun violence in the US, and it is a significant part of his re-election campaign platform. He established the first White House office of gun violence prevention, tasked with finding solutions and fully implementing relevant gun safety legislation. A representative of the office was present in Maine to assist with the federal response. Biden has also advocated for a ban on assault weapons, emphasizing the importance of common-sense measures to protect citizens in various settings.

Unfortunately, mass shootings and their devastating consequences have plagued numerous communities across the country. Biden has visited other affected areas such as Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; and Monterey Park, California, over the past year. He acknowledged the pain felt not only in Maine but also throughout the nation, emphasizing the need for change regarding gun violence.

The Lewiston community gathered at the memorial outside Schemengees to mourn throughout the morning. John Murphy, who came to pay his respects, expressed gratitude for the president’s visit but lamented the circumstances that brought him there. He predicted a lengthy healing process for Maine, a typically peaceful and beautiful state.

Just-In-Time, the bowling alley where the shootings initiated, also had memorials commemorating the victims. The location displayed a sign declaring “Lewiston Strong! Remembering our loss Oct. 25, 2023.” Michele Stapleton of Brunswick welcomed the president’s visit and appreciated his dedication to discussing gun safety openly.

This incident has left many residents searching for answers. Elizabeth Seal, whose husband lost his life in the shooting, questioned the availability of semi-automatic weapons and hoped lawmakers would address the issue.

A majority of Americans desire stricter gun laws, irrespective of the current legislation in their states, according to an AP/NORC poll. This inclination may be linked to the belief that fewer guns would result in fewer mass shootings.

President Biden received news of the shootings while hosting an event at the White House. He immediately spoke with Maine Governor Janet Mills and the state’s representatives in Congress. Both Mills and Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline affirmed that the community was working on healing but acknowledged the immense grief caused by the horrific violence.

–