LEWISTON, ME – Last night, the city of Lewiston, ME was rocked by a series of tragic mass shootings. It is being reported that nearly two dozen people were killed and dozens more were injured in multiple locations across the community, making it the deadliest mass shooting of the year. The shooter remains at large.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson issued the following statement:

“Our hearts break as yet another community is devastated by the American epidemic of gun violence. This crisis is not inevitable or unsolvable. It simply does not have to be this way. We all deserve the freedom to live, work, and play without the never-ending threat of violence. We grieve with the people of Maine and will work alongside our partners in the gun safety movement to honor those stolen last night with action.”

The Human Rights Campaign has joined partners in calling for common sense gun safety reforms, including universal background checks, limiting the ability of those with a history of domestic abuse to access guns and limiting access to assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and “bump stocks.” In 2021, the HRC Foundation also worked with Everytown For Gun Safety Support Fund, Giffords Law Center and Equality Florida Institute to produce the Remembering and Honoring Pulse report, which highlights the impacts of the gun violence epidemic on LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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