Maine Rep. Jared Golden's U-Turn On Assault Weapons Ban After Deadly Shooting: 'I Must Now Take Accountability'

In the wake of a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) has radically changed his stance on banning military-style rifles, according to a recent Rolling Stone report.

What Happened: The devastating incident, which resulted in the loss of 18 lives, has led Golden to question his prior resistance to weapon restrictions. He expressed regret for his past position and conveyed a strong desire to safeguard his community and family. Golden announced his intent to advocate for an assault rifle ban in the United States Congress, a proposition he had previously opposed.

“I must now take accountability for this failure,” Golden stated at a recent press conference. He vowed to his constituents and Lewiston residents that he would collaborate with any colleague to enact this change during his remaining tenure in Congress.

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Last year, Golden was one of five Democrats who voted against a measure to ban assault weapons in the House. Despite passing in the House, the measure did not survive in the Senate and expired at the end of the term.

Post the tragic event, President Joe Biden reinforced his appeal to congressional Republicans to ally with Democrats in backing bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and the implementation of universal background checks and enhanced safety measures.

Why It Matters: The shift in Golden’s stance is significant, given that he was one of the few Democrats who previously opposed an assault weapons ban.

His change of heart comes after the horrific shooting in Lewiston, which not only resulted in the tragic loss of 18 lives but also left the gunman still at large.

This incident, as highlighted in a Benzinga report, occurred in a bowling alley and a bar, leading to a state of high alert issued by the local police. The authorities released photos of the suspect, urging the residents to stay in their homes and remain cautious.

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