Guns Down America Statement on Lewiston, Maine Mass Shooting

October 26, 2023

Washington, D.C. – Guns Down America released the following statement in response to the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine that has left at least 18 people dead and 13 injured.

Hudson Munoz, Executive Director of Guns Down America, said:

"Like everyone, I am heartbroken as I watch this horror unfold in Lewiston, Maine. I can’t get the image of the man with the assault weapon out of my mind and I’m sure many of you can’t, either. This massacre, like the dozens before it, was preventable. Guns are the problem. The assault weapon we saw in those photos was designed to kill and outfitted to kill, and it’s an open question how this gunman was able to easily obtain such a weapon, given his history. Allowing access to them is a choice.

“The gun industry is responsible for this deadly status quo. So much chaos and destruction was possible because the gun industry made a weapon that can fire more than 100 rounds in less than 2 minutes and sold it to civilians. Cities are in lockdown, schools and businesses are closed, and people are afraid when they should be living without the violent interruption made possible by assault weapons. If you believe those families and communities in Lewiston should still be together this morning, should still be whole, then join us. We must take care of each other - we need fewer guns and safer communities.”