WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — A discussion at the White House on Wednesday focused on how states can better reduce gun violence.
Nearly 100 state lawmakers from around the country took part—including some from Maine.
In all, eight lawmakers from the Pine tree State took part in the event run by the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris. It was a chance to roll out new policies to combat gun violence at the state level.
"It was great to be with liked-minded legislatures and really feel that support, creative energy, and hopefulness of all of us meeting together," Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth. She was among the lawmakers representing Maine at the White House. "There was one suggestion that was discussed I thought would be really interesting for Maine to look at. That is to have an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. That would be a hub where you could talk about different programs and resources, in addition to legislation that would really help make our state safer."
Vice President Harris started her remarks remembering Joshua Seal, a member of Maine's deaf community and sign language interpreter who was killed in the October Lewiston shootings.
"He signed for me all over the world," Harris said. "I talked with his family, his wife, and his children, and they're a family that's actually very committed to public service."
The Vice President unveiled the Safer State Initiative to provide states additional tools and support to reduce gun violence.