Some anniversaries can’t be celebrated. Monday, April 20 is one of these days. It marks the tenth anniversary of the Columbine shootings. Last week, April 16, was the two year anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre. These highly publicized tragedies have spurred change around the country, but how has Maine been affected?
Because of these harrowing events, the city of Portland has taken initiative and declared April, “Gun Violence Prevention Month.” According to the resolution – which passed on March 2 – 30,000 Americans die each year due to gun violence. In Maine, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds. An average 21 people in Maine die by their own hand. Of those who attempt suicide with a gun, 78-90 percent end in a fatality.
Recently, Portland has been affected by the loss of James Angelo, a security guard at Mercy Hospital who was shot on duty. Hundreds of people marched towards Monument Square for a candle light vigil in remembrance of Angelo and in hopes that this type of mindless violence ceases. Although Maine is making improvements in awareness, they recently took a step back.
Last week, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee of the Maine Legislature failed to abolish a ridiculous loophole in the selling of fire arms at gun shows. This loophole allows private arms dealers to sell guns to anyone and everyone without performing an instant background check. Licensed dealers must perform background checks before distributing guns to their customers. It is this same loophole that the murderers from Columbine took advantage of when planning their attacks. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold sought out private dealers at a Colorado gun show in order to purchase the weapons used during the shootings.
Tom Mauser, father of Daniel Mauser, victim of the Columbine shootings, flew to Maine to plead with government officials to end this deadly loophole just as Colorado, Oregon, and Florida have.
Mauser has become one of the nation’s leading voices in gun violence prevention by traveling throughout America; sharing the anguish he felt after his son’s death and his hopes of preventing other families from experiencing the pain of losing a loved one from gun violence. But not even his plead before the hearing could alter Maine’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee decision to uphold this dangerous technicality.
Supporters of the loophole believe it’s eradication would be an attack on the Second Amendment; the right to bear arms. In actuality, closing the loophole would prevent attacks such as Columbine and Virginia Tech from, by prohibiting those with criminal records from purchasing guns freely. There is a major difference between protecting one’s right to bear arms and protecting our friends and family.
Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence (MCAHV) – the state’s leading organization for the prevention of handgun violence and parent organization to USM’s Maine Students Against Handgun Violence – was disappointed by the state’s decision, but not entirely surprised. According to Bonnie Blythe of MCAHV, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has a stronghold on Maine’s politicians.
“Until many more of us make this a priority and put pressure on these people (like the gun lobby does) not much will change in terms of common sense gun policies,” she says.
It is a shame that Maine did not take advantage of this opportunity to enact change and remove an obvious loophole that has enabled the deaths of so many.
It’s astonishing how Maine’s legislature chooses ignorance over safety. What will happen before this obvious discrepancy in the judicial system changes? Another Columbine? Maine’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee have decided to play the “that could never happen to us” game. American pride gets in the way of making rational life saving decisions. Citizens of the U.S. still obtain their right to bear arms. But where in the constitution does it say that Americans are permitted to abuse this amendment for the enjoyment of trigger-happy sociopaths? It is a shame that Maine had the chance to make a difference and become a positive influence in the reformation of gun laws that currently assist in killing sprees.
In honor and remembrance of the Columbine shootings, Maine Students Against Handgun Violence will be screening “Bowling for Columbine” in the Brooks Student Center on Monday, April 20 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Michael Moore’s 2002 film still holds uncanny relevance seven year’s later. It is a poignant documentation of the faults that plague our gun-obsessed society and the dangers of continuing on this path. Come show your support, and if you’d like, share a story of how gun violence has affected your life.
Visit mcahv.org for information on upcoming events and how you can help in preventing handgun violence.