Tragic Mass Shooting in Maine Raises Questions on Gun Control and Mental Health Oversight

Maine authorities are grappling with the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting in the state's history, shedding light on the gunman's troubled history, mental health struggles, and the alarming lapses in firearm regulation. Robert Card, the 40-year-old assailant found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, had exhibited warning signs and undergone a mental health evaluation after erratic behavior at an Army training facility in New York.

The shooting, which left 18 dead and 13 injured, has ignited concerns about how Card, an Army reservist, retained access to firearms despite his mental health issues. A significant revelation surfaced as it was disclosed that Card, three months before the rampage, attempted to purchase a suppressor, commonly known as a silencer, but was denied due to his admission of a mental health history on the required forms.

Rick LaChapelle, owner of Coastal Defense Firearms, where Card attempted the purchase, emphasized that Card's 'yes' response to mental health inquiries automatically disqualified him from acquiring the silencer. Silencers, subject to stringent federal regulations, demand approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which typically takes six to eight months.

Investigators are still probing Card's motive for the attack, but his mental health history has become a focal point. State Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck revealed that Card believed people were talking about him and may have experienced auditory hallucinations.

Criticism is mounting against law enforcement for not preventing the tragedy, especially after a statewide awareness alert was issued in September, highlighting Card's veiled threats against his base and fellow soldiers. However, visiting Card's home did not lead to further action.

During a news conference, Governor Janet Mills faced scrutiny with calls for revisiting Maine's gun control laws. Mills refrained from proposing specific measures but was willing to collaborate. Maine, with a history of limited violent crime, witnessed a wave of shock and mourning following the shooting.

Card's body was discovered in a cargo trailer at a recycling plant where he had worked, ending a 48-hour search that had placed the community under lockdown. The shooting spree at a bowling alley and a bar rocked Lewiston, a city known for its tranquility. A candlelight vigil drew hundreds, with religious leaders and community members emphasizing healing and resilience.

According to Relevant, “It’s the deadliest massacre so far this year, and the worst since El Paso in 2019. It’s also the 565th mass shooting in the U.S. in 2023.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, 566 Americans have died because of a mass shooting this year. On average, 1.9 mass shootings — defined as any time four or more people are shot or killed, not including the perpetrator — have occurred this year, marking 2023 as the deadliest year on record for mass shootings in the U.S.”

Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Joe Raedle / Staff

Video Courtesy:  Associated Press via YouTube

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