Rep. Jared Golden, one of only five Democrats who voted against an assault weapon ban last year, reversed his stance and said he would back proposals to limit such firearms following the deadly mass shooting in his state Wednesday that has left at least 18 people dead.
“I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war. The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure,” Golden said at a news conference on Thursday. “For the good of the community, I will work with any colleague to get this done.”
Maine Senator Susan Collins said she did not support such prohibitions.
Golden, a Marine Corps veteran, is a centrist Democrat whose district includes Lewiston. That city is reeling after a gunman opened fire at two locations on Wednesday night ― a bowling alley and a restaurant ― killing at least 18 people and wounding more than a dozen others.
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