AUGUSTA, Maine — After the deadliest mass shooting in all of Maine's history, activists and state lawmakers rallied Saturday at Capitol Park in Augusta to demand more "common-sense" gun laws in the upcoming legislative session.
"We've been awakened, but this was a long time coming. It wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when," Cheryl McGilbery, who held a sign calling out state lawmakers, said at the rally.
Hosted by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, people spoke and held signs to illustrate what they see is the need for an assault weapons ban, a red flag law, and background checks.
"A tragedy in Lewiston hits everyone hard," Camille Shannon, chair of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, said. "You can't have something like this happen to a family member and not be devastated and desperate for action."
Permits, background checks, and registrations are not currently required in Maine in order to purchase a firearm or a handgun.
A handful of speakers shared personal ties to the movement, from students to state lawmakers, in an effort to back the message.
Moments of remembrance and healing were shared, and 18 tealights were lit to honor the people who were killed in mass shooting events in Lewiston on Oct. 25.
Despite the large turnout for Saturday's rally, not all Mainers favor a more strict approach to gun laws.
"The crop of politicians pushing for gun bans in Maine right now, such as Jared Golden, have barely mentioned our failed mental health system and policies," Maine GOP Chairman Joel Stetkis said in a statement released during the shooting in Lewiston.
Organizers and activists say both can be accomplished and that the answer to a safer Maine isn't "this" or "that."
"We need to do that, too, but you can't lose 18 lives and not have a comprehensive approach. It can't just be mental health," Shannon said.