US Republican Senator Susan Collins received criticisms for her previous record of voting on gun control after the Maine mass shooting that killed 18 people and injured more than a dozen.
Collins released a statement about the mass shooting on Wednesday. The Sentator posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said their state mourns for the recent horrific mass shooting in Maine.
Collins Criticized for Gun Control Stance
She said she appreciates the support they have received from across the country, including the call she has received from President Biden offering assistance. Collins' statement received criticism from social media users. The users targeted her previous stances on gun control and her votes that have helped block stronger laws from being put in place around firearms.
"You helped make this happen," one X user posted. Another user also commented on voting for sensible gun laws. According to Vote Smart, Collins has rejected several Senate amendments on gun control in her 26-year career as a senator.
In 2022, Collins was one of the 15 Republicans who voted for the bipartisan gun bill. According to The Guardian, the legislation strengthened background checks for gun owners under 21 and reinforced laws against gun trafficking.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said that weapons of war have no place in the streets of California. He said they will continue to fight to ensure the safety of the citizens from firearms that cause mass casualties.
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Mass Shooting in Maine
The police reported that at least 16 people had been killed and more than a dozen injured in the recent mass shooting on Wednesday. The shootings took place at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley, and then at Schemengees Bar and Grille, about 4 miles (6.4km) away, as reported by The Guardian.
The authorities revealed that they are investigating two active shooter incidents in Maine. The police are still looking for the suspect, but hours later, the police named a man called Robert Card as a person of interest. The police claimed Card to be armed and dangerous.
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released two photos of the suspect on their Facebook page. The photo shows the shooter entering an establishment with a weapon. While the suspect was still on the run, the authorities advised the residents to keep their doors locked and off the roads to allow emergency responders to access the hospitals.
Central Maine Medical Center said their staff were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients due to mass casualty in mass shootings. Furthermore, the hospital itself was also in lockdown. Local schools were also closed on Thursday. Superintendent Jake Langlais said people should continue staying at home and seeking safety.
