John,

The tragedy in Maine did not have to happen. The 18 people murdered should still be here. But instead, a community is grieving and families are forever changed.

Stronger gun laws could’ve stopped the mass shootings in Lewiston, John.

This is the clearest-cut case I’ve seen where an extreme risk protection order could have saved all these lives. The shooter in Maine did everything short of taking out a front-page ad in the newspaper saying he was going to commit an atrocity.

ADD YOUR NAME: Tell Congress to support Extreme Risk Laws >>

Unfortunately, Maine’s weak “yellow flag law” did not stop the gunman from obtaining a weapon – it’s no surprise as it was written by gun rights groups and isn’t effective at preventing individuals at risk of harming themselves or others from accessing guns. 

Mainers deserved better and they deserve action from their lawmakers to protect them from the next tragedy – we all do. It shouldn’t take tragedy after tragedy to prove that we need stronger gun laws. Laws that are common sense and supported by the majority of Americans, both gun-owning and not.

Nearly half of mass shooters exhibit warning signs before committing a horrible act which is why extreme risk laws, sometimes called “red flag laws,” can be so effective in preventing gun violence: They empower family members, law enforcement, or professionals to ask a court to temporarily prohibit an individual’s access to firearms if that person shows clear signs of risk of harming themselves or others. These laws save lives and we need our lawmakers to urgent action to pass them and other common sense measures. 

In the wake of this preventable tragedy, I’m asking you to join me in calling on Congress to support extreme risk laws. Please, will you add your name to Brady’s petition to lawmakers right now?

Thank you for taking action, John. Together, we can prevent the next tragedy. 

Mark Collins
Director, Federal Policy