US President Joe Biden traveled to Maine to meet with families and first responders in the aftermath of a devastating mass shooting that took place in Lewiston, leaving 18 people dead. The attack, which occurred at a bowling alley and bar on October 25th, marked the deadliest shooting in the state's history.

During his visit, President Biden reiterated his call for a ban on assault weapons and tougher gun control measures. Stefanie Feldman, the director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, stated that the recovery process for the community would be long and difficult, and reassured that the President is committed to providing support from across the federal government.

The shooting, carried out by a 40-year-old army reservist, deeply shook the once peaceful town of Lewiston. It began at Just-In-Time Recreation, a venue known for hosting youth and adult bowling leagues, before the gunman proceeded to the nearby Schemengees Bar & Grille, where a cornhole tournament was taking place at the time.

Among the victims were a grandfather, a talented young bowler, and four members of a deaf cornhole team. The incident left the community in shock and grief, but local resident Sean Gosselin shared that the town is slowly returning to a sense of normalcy and finding ways to cope.

One example of the community coming together in the wake of the tragedy was a gathering to cheer on the local high school's football team, the Lewiston Blue Devils, during a game against their rivals from the nearby town of Auburn. Gosselin described the event as symbolic of resilience and moving forward while still honoring the victims.

The shooting, which stands as the deadliest in the US so far this year, nearly matched Maine's overall homicide count for 2022. The assailant, Robert Card, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Following the incident, President Biden issued a statement urging Republican lawmakers to pass legislation banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as implementing universal background checks and eliminating immunity from liability for gun manufacturers. He emphasized the need to address the physical and mental scars that victims of such attacks bear.

Authorities in Maine have been grappling with the question of how the shooter was able to legally obtain weapons despite warnings from his Army Reserve unit about his mental health issues. Even the Army had explicitly stated that Card should not possess firearms or participate in live fire activities.

The suspect had drawn concerns from his fellow soldiers, with at least one expressing worry that he might "snap" and carry out a mass shooting. Family members had also alerted authorities about his erratic behavior and potential danger. Despite these red flags, it remains unclear how he obtained the firearms used in the attack.

Maine's Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, expressed gratitude for President Biden's unwavering support during this difficult time. Her statement acknowledged that the President's visit and the nation's solidarity sends a powerful message of support to Lewiston and the state of Maine.

As the town continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, the focus on gun control and addressing mental health concerns remains at the forefront. President Biden's visit highlights the need for action to prevent such devastating incidents and support affected communities in their healing process.