The Maine Shooting: Another Main Reason to Wake Up, America

Eighteen lives were lost, and up to 50 were injured in a mass shooting at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 25, 2023.

This is the 627th mass shooting in America this year, per ABC News.

The fact that America, our home, can allow for so many incidents like this to happen is sickening.

Robert Card, the man responsible for the shooting, is the latest mass shooter with a military background.

A surprising number of America’s shootings are caused by our veterans. According to CBS, since 1966, 26% of these mass shootings were caused by veterans. Although America offers rehabilitation and other financial benefits for those who have served their country, the common citizen could do a lot more to ensure the wellness of our veterans’ mental health. Things as simple as thanking those who served or listening to the many stories they have to share can go a long way.

Additionally, according to Nymag.com, both the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in Maine and the U.S. Army Reserve were aware of Card’s declining mental health but never attempted to help.

It’s upsetting to know some who once fought for our country are now fighting the ones they protected.

Many families are currently grieving the loss of their noble relatives. Among the many remarkable lives lost is William “Billy” Brackett. Brackett, a deaf man, grew up as an avid athlete; he played such sports as basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball. In his teenage and adult years, Brackett committed immeasurable amounts of time to serving his community. He would spend his summertime teaching children how to play basketball, and he would educate his peers on sign language.

Brackett’s father is one of the many family members grieving his loss. He provided this quote to AP News when reflecting on his son’s ability to comfort and teach children: “He was just a gentle person. He was big and rugged and I guess maybe that’s why all the little kids loved him,” his father said. “They swarmed to a bigger person. Maybe they thought, ‘He’ll be our protector.’”

After each mass shooting tragedy, it becomes clearer that America needs protection as well.

One obvious method of protection is related to gun control, but America’s gun problem is not an easy problem to fix.

Although the easiest solution of banning certain weapons might sound simple, the United States Constitution protects the right to bear arms in the Second Amendment.

Specifically, the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Most people honor and appreciate the Second Amendment as a means of safety and self-protection. The issue is that people’s accessibility to these weapons means that people with the wrong intentions can get their hands on them.

While there is no direct solution to solving America’s gun problem without infringing on the Second Amendment, there are steps America can take to minimize mass shootings.

One potential solution could be to require a permit to buy a gun in all 50 states. About 77% of mass shooters purchased their weapons legally, per Axios.com. This was made possible because fewer than 15 states in America require a handgun permit to buy a gun, according to Giffords.com.

This goes to show how easy it is to legally obtain all types of guns, especially in states that don’t require a permit to purchase. In Louisiana, for example, anyone over the age of 18 can go to their local Walmart or Academy and walk out with a gun merely 20 minutes later.

Perhaps one way to honor the Second Amendment while keeping citizens safer is to have a waiting period for semi-automatic weapons (or weapons that have the potential to effortlessly kill a large number of people in a short period of time) after a criminal background check.

Per 5280.com, over the past 35 years, mass killers have heavily favored semi-automatic handguns or rifles.

A waiting period could allow more time for a more comprehensive background check, limiting the sale of firearms to criminals with a history of violence. In addition, a waiting period would give potential mass shooters a chance to calm down before they carry out such a horrific crime. Finally, many have suggested that if states had a waiting period, it would be a good idea for states to require some sort of gun safety or education class, or even a shooting class, during that time to prevent firearm accidents.

Saint Paul’s sophomore Lane Hamaker is in the process of obtaining his driver’s license right now, and he described his experience: “First, I had to take a class to learn driving safety. Then, I had to have four separate two-hour driving sessions with an instructor. And then I still have to pass a written test.”

Why do we have to jump through all of those hoops to be allowed to drive a car but not to purchase an AR-15?

“We all have the Second Amendment, but not to be used for this,” Lewiston resident Annette Roy stated following the shooting. Roy also agrees that we should put more effort into providing service to those with declining mental health.

While most people link shooters to mental health issues, these issues are not as much of a key factor in most mass shootings as many perceive. Studies at Columbia University show that only about 8% of 1,800 mass shooters were diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. Although these studies might seem surprising, they shouldn’t discourage us from trying to diagnose more people with any mental illness they may have based on the symptoms they show. If these people are diagnosed more accurately and effectively, then they can seek the rehabilitation they need, which will help reduce America’s gun problem even more.

“This is just not a gun issue nor a mental issue. It’s two issues rolled into one… America deserves better,” Roy stated.

We agree.

Unfortunately, there is not one simple, quick fix to solve America’s gun problem, but that’s not why the problem exists. It exists because America is not doing anything to change it.

Whether it’s requiring permits, waiting periods, more extensive criminal background checks, a gun safety class, a shooting range lesson, or placing a greater emphasis on mental health, none of it matters if America doesn’t try something.

At the end of the day, everyone should want to end up in the same place: a safer country. However, legislators are too caught up in arguing about which direction to drive to see that they haven’t even started the car.

“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t,” said President Martin Van Buren.

“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today,” said President Abraham Lincoln.

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed,” said President Theodore Roosevelt.  

America should hear the words of our great leaders. We need to stop stalling, take our foot off the brake pedal, and just drive to our destination: safety.

Published By: lucarodas2026

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