Dear Sharra, Days ago, our country suffered yet another high-profile mass shooting – this one in Maine, where a gunman with a known history of mental illness and erratic behavior killed 18 people.
The shooter was able to get a gun despite his mental history – known to his family, the Army Reserves, and the New York State Police – because of Maine's inadequate gun regulations. Maine's 'yellow flag' law is supposed to restrict gun access to those with mental health crises so strict that they are risks to themselves or others. In practice, the inadequate law makes it extremely difficult to actually restrict gun access to these people.
Our hearts are broken but let our resolve be strong. As I said during my CNN Town hall in 2020, a majority of Republicans as well as Democrats, including gun owners, want common sense gun safety laws such as a ban on assault weapons, federal red flag laws and universal background checks. The fact that we don't have them has nothing to do with the Second Amendment, and everything to do with the unadulterated greed of gun manufacturers.
We must eliminate the sale of assault rifles, bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, and 3-D printed firearms. We must also expand background checks, end the gun show loophole, and implement Red Flag laws to strengthen restrictions on the ability of individuals with mental health crises at risk to themselves or others to buy guns.
As President, I cannot make all of those things happen with a wave of a wand. We will have to work together, because electing members of the House and Senate to pass such legislation is as important as having a president who wants it. But I will do everything in my power as your Chief Executive — from using the bully pulpit to executive orders - to create a more peaceful America. And that includes changes in our gun laws.
Trying to do any of this, we're once again faced with the same old challenge: the reign of big money on our political system. We must let the will of the people – not gun manufacturers or the NRA – dictate gun policy in the United States.
None of this will change until the people rise up. And we're rising now. |
P.S. Join me in Portland, Maine November 9
On Friday, November 9 I'll be speaking in Portland, Maine. I hope you'll join me to be together at this time and to talk about a shared vision for our future.
University of Southern Maine
Thursday, November 9 at 4:15 pm
Talbot Lecture Hall, Luther Bonney Building
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Meet & Greet at SerenityME
Thursday, November 9 at 7:00 pm
SerenityME Mindfulness Center
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