Lewiston’s Democratic congressman reverses opposition to assault weapons ban and asks for "forgiveness"

Maine Representative Jared Golden, an uncommon House Democrat who had previously opposed several gun safety measures advocated by his party, expressed his support for an assault weapons ban on Thursday. This change in stance followed the shootings that took place in his hometown of Lewiston.

“I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war,” Golden said at news conference in Lewiston. “The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure, which is why I now call on the United States Congress to ban assault rifles.”

Golden’s announcement represents a noteworthy change for the three-term congressman, who serves the largely rural Maine 2nd Congressional District, an area that supported former President Donald Trump in two elections.

First elected in 2018 when he flipped the Republican-held district through ranked-choice voting, this Marine veteran has diverged from his party on various issues, including gun control measures. He was among just five Democrats to dissent against an assault-style weapons ban that the House passed in 2022 when it was under Democratic control.

However, on Thursday, with his community still under lockdown, the congressman expressed a pressing concern for the necessity of regulating assault weapons.

"For the benefit of my community, I'm committed to collaborating with any colleague to achieve this during my remaining time in Congress," stated Golden, who may face a competitive re-election next year.

"To the people of Lewiston, my constituents across the 2nd District, to the families who have lost loved ones, and to those who have suffered, I humbly ask for your forgiveness and support as I work towards putting an end to these tragic shootings," he expressed.

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