By Devdan Young
Lewiston, Maine – In the wake of the tragic mass shooting on October 25, 2023, that claimed 18 lives and injured 13 others, Lewiston, a close-knit community, is still grappling with its loss.
A local resident Nicole Sevingy had been working on Main Street which is the road the shooter took to get from the bowling alley to the bar.
“My coworkers and I had heard a couple cop cars pass and thought nothing of it. There are always sirens going in Lewiston,” said Sevingy.
“Then we heard more and more and we went on our phones to try and get an understanding, that's when we saw the reports on social media,” she said.
“By this time the shooter had already left both places and his whereabouts were unknown which added to the already high level of fright,” she said.
“I was terrified once I realized he must have driven right past us (her work) to get to the bar,” she said. “Our boss let all of us go home but told us to be on high alert for anything out of the ordinary and I went to my dad’s who lives in auburn,” she said.
“Then I called my close friends to let them know I was safe,” she ended with.
Dominic Brunetti is from Lewiston but currently attends Worcester Polytechnic Institute recalls his worries from the attacks.
“I didn’t believe it at first, there’s always a lot of things on the internet and I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“It was one of those things you hear about in other places and never ever think it will happen in your hometown,” he said.
“I called my parents to make sure they and my sister were safe, then I texted my brother who was at a boarding school in New Hampshire if he knew anything else and if his friends were safe,” he said.
“Thankfully all my close family was safe,” he ended with.
As residents try to rebuild and heal, the shooting has reignited long-standing debates about gun control in Maine, a state with a deeply rooted gun culture, and has prompted both legislative changes. Linda Pushard works in Sabattus at a hair salon but most of her regulars are from the Lewiston/Auburn area.
“I didn’t know what was happening at first until my son Lucas called me,” she said.
“I remember checking the news and Thursdays are my day off from the shop so I didn't have to go in,” she said. “It was great to see the town come together and recover together,” she said.
“I wish the community could be this tight all the time,” she said.
“I am happy that the town seems to have recovered and the bowling alley and bar have reopened,” she said. “A sense of rebirth, thanks to the Lord above,” she ended with.
Immediately after the tragedy, Lewiston residents united in ways that demonstrated the strength of their community. Local business owner Sarah Pelletier described how people supported each other during the aftermath.
"People came together in ways we hadn’t seen before. There’s still fear, but the sense of unity and compassion is overwhelming. We want to heal, but we also want change to prevent this from happening again," said Pelletier That unity has been critical for Lewiston’s recovery.
Vigils and memorials have been held, and many residents, like Pelletier, are calling for tougher gun laws to prevent such incidents in the future. The debate, however, is far from unanimous, and it reflects broader tensions across the state about balancing safety with gun rights. (The Trace)
In response to the shooting, Maine lawmakers passed a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, marking a significant shift in the state's gun laws. Previously, Maine had some of the least restrictive firearm regulations in the country. With no permit required to carry a concealed weapon and no background checks mandatory for private sales, the state had long been seen as a haven for gun owners. (newscentermaine.com) (The Trace)
It is unlikely that the new law would have stopped the Lewiston shooter, but seen as a preventative measure for future tragedies. Emily Craven, a state legislator who has long advocated for gun reform, said a personal story shaped her views.
"A friend’s son bought a gun and used it to end his life on the same day. If there had been a waiting period, he might still be here. We need these laws, not just for mass shootings but for suicides and everyday gun violence too," said Craven.
“My advocacy was crucial in passing the waiting period, but my efforts have faced resistance,” said Craven. Past attempts to implement background checks and other safety measures stalled in the Maine Legislature, reflecting the difficulty of enacting reforms in a state with a strong tradition of gun ownership. (newscentermaine.com) (The Trace)
While gun safety advocates celebrated the new legislation, some business owners and gun rights supporters were frustrated. John Labbe, who runs a gun store in Kittery, expressed concerns about the impact of the new waiting period on his business.
"We’re all devastated by what happened in Lewiston, but these laws are punishing the wrong people. Most of our customers are law-abiding citizens, and now they’re going to face more hurdles just to exercise their rights. I’m worried this is just the start" Labbe said to News Center Maine.
Labbe and other retailers argue that the waiting period will drive customers out of state, particularly to New Hampshire, where gun laws remain more permissive. He is also concerned about the economic impact on local businesses, especially during the state’s busy summer tourism season. (newscentermaine.com)
The Lewiston shooting has also renewed attention on Maine’s high rate of gun suicides. James Rocque, a criminologist out of Augusta, pointed out that while the state has a relatively low rate of gun homicides, its suicide rate is concerning.
"We have a high rate of gun suicide, relative to the country and to New England. The Lewiston tragedy has shown that we are not immune to mass shootings, and I believe this will push the needle forward on reforms, but it’s going to be an uphill battle because of our strong gun culture,” Roque said to The Trace
Rocque noted that Maine’s gun laws are inconsistent: while residents need to take a safety course to qualify for a hunting license, there are no such requirements for concealed handgun carriers.
Rocque, like Craven, believes the new laws are a step in the right direction, but that more comprehensive reforms are needed. (The Trace)
As Lewiston continues to recover from the events of 2023, the debate over gun control is far from settled. While new laws have been passed, many residents remain divided on how best to balance safety with the right to bear arms. The town, like much of Maine, is grappling with how to prevent future tragedies without alienating a large portion of the population who view gun ownership as a core part of their identity.
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