Statement by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill on the Mass Shooting in Maine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement after the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine: 

“Once again, our nation is gripped by the heartbreak of another violent mass shooting, this time in Lewiston, Maine. My heart is with the victims, their families, and the community. 

“The more than 565 mass shootings in 2023 so far underline in bold, dark ink that the reality of living in America is living under the threat and fear of gun violence. Gun violence touches every corner of our country — from big cities to small college towns like Lewiston. Recently studies show that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. have had a family member killed by a gun. That is unacceptable. 

“The data does not lie: gun safety laws, like the ones in New Jersey, save lives – measures like background checks, waiting periods, red flags, permits, and magazine capacity limits. Implementing these policies nationwide would make our communities and schools safer. It’s common sense. It’s the morally right thing to do. It’s what the American people want to see happen. I call on our new Speaker Mike Johnson to put partisanship aside and bring much needed gun violence prevention legislation to the House floor for a vote so we can protect our families and communities from senseless acts of gun violence.”

Rep. Sherrill is a former Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor. She qualified as an expert shot in the rifle and pistol in the U.S. Navy and as a federal prosecutor, she worked to keep illegal guns off the streets of New Jersey. Rep. Sherrill is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. 

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