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In the Feb. 1 Bangor Daily News, there was an article about House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham’s response to Gov. Janet Mill’s State of the State address regarding the shooting in Lewiston last October. I believe his comment that Maine should not change gun laws because of one mass shooting was contemptible and ignorant; I think he further insulted those affected by the heinous violence perpetrated that day by describing Mill’s proposals for gun law reform as “gibberish.” What occurred in our state that horrific day demands us all to do some deep soul searching about whether we value the lives of loved ones and neighbors over the unfettered right to bear arms.
In the Feb. 2 BDN, there was an article about the families of the Lewiston shooting victims testifying before the independent commission. Each story was deeply heartbreaking but there was one that has haunted me. Rachel Sloat lost her fiancé, Peyton Brewer-Ross, one of those gunned down at Schemengees that day. He was the father of their 2-year-old daughter, Elle, who still waits each day at the top of the stairs, calling for her daddy to see if he will appear.
I think Faulkingham should have a face-to-face conversation with Sloat and all the others whose lives were horribly and irrevocably changed that day. Perhaps he would then realize that our governor’s call for changes in our gun laws deserves his respect and consideration rather than his dismissive derision and political posturing.
Sara Hessler
Ellsworth