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Was just thinking how in just a few weeks time we can forgot about the issue that dominated the headlines. So let’s not forgot about Lewiston, ME and all the other mass shootings in this country just b/c todays headlines are about Gaza and a possible govt shutdown. Gun control reform needs to be on the minds and agendas of all our lawmakers.

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America's Sonnet

-Susan Cook-

It is so hard to write you this sonnet

because I long for you in another

way. I want to feel justified, make it

like "Shall I compare thee to a summer

day?" But there was that summer day, one man

with all those guns that you allowed him to

buy to kill. He was an American-

style imposter. I want you to be true.

I will not just say they're your pretty wrongs,

in your pursuit of happiness, me, you,

Then you go behind my back. Someone conned

me, telling me you have more than you do.

This sonnet's yours America, but you

will not turn all my loves, my black, white, blue.

On PRX.org, In The River Is Wide series.

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Is there a common game killers watch or participate with.. Should there be a way to shame themk that is unbearable and a discouragement as stocks and pillary once did on the town square. Teachers can carry concealed weapons now that is good and would have save lives before. In Maine, a state with good common sense, should have had an armed bowler that was quick and accurate in his or her response. Once a killer is caught photos of him should not be published and later his name banishsed .

This killer should be lobster and crab feed. May the ghosts of his victims find him.

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I feel badly for the people of Maine and worse for anyone who has any kind of mental illness but we as a whole country have to do more to prevent this from happening.

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This is the NRA at work remember the old chestnut guns don't kill , people do. What a load of crap but they pushed that since the 70s I remember when the NRA taught hunters safety hell I passed the course and was glad of it that is one way I learned respect for all firearms. The minute you don't respect them is when they kill you l. Another way was my parents my dad taught me to respect the power and the fact that there is no such thing as an unloaded gun till you make sure its not loaded, more people are killed by unloaded guns, most seem to be children.

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Maybe we can’t confiscate weapons of mass destruction like the AR-15 but Nothing says we couldn’t outlaw the ammunition

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There you go!

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And next letter…..Dear Washington….why don’t you do your job? Fix this. Much tougher gun laws are needed. For all 50 states and territories and possessions. In the midst of all this horror, local govt offices in Maine were still getting tons of calls wanting to know when they could go hunting. Why do we like to kill so much? What is our fascination with guns?

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authoritarian leadership perhaps leading to dictatorship Promotion of corporate interests rather than worker needs Promotion of corporate interests rather than local community needs Press becoming the enemy of the people Threatening social security of seniors Threatening withdrawal from world peace organizations Limiting women’s free choice Threats coming to those that disagree Stacking the courts with ultra conservatives attempt to promote white supremacy You need more?

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There’s only one way to end this epidemic. We must get guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. We need to ban all assault rifles with a confiscate and/or buyback program.

The only thing that can possibly matter for any of this to happen is for all good Americans, no matter their prerogative, must quit voting for Republicans (who are not interested in protecting our fellow citizens) and tax the NRA as the lobbying organization it is. We still outnumber the ammo-sexuals by 3-1. No fear.

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The President has ordered all flags at half staff for a month for the victims in Maine. My fear is if we do this for all mass shootings it will be at half staff forever. 😞 I am scared it is becoming our new normal and people are becoming hardened to these events. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism. All I know is “again” will happen and it shouldn’t. (My daughter was recently looking to buy a house. I saw one near my son and his family. I didn’t tell her about it because if she has kids I don’t want them at the same school in case there is a shooting. 😞😡 I’m not sure if there’s something wrong with me for thinking that way. ).

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So simple and succinct. Assault rifles in the hands of unstable people are always a recipe for hellish acts. No civilian ever has a need for or right to own a weapon of mass destruction. GUNS are the problem. Ban assault rifles. Words fail to describe the pain and loss to all affected by this act of madness. And the beat goes on.......

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This whole incident points to two factors that have to change. 1. Mental health services need to be more and better quality. 2. Gun control.

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Uh, gee the background checks the left have called for have failed so you want to punish legal firearm owners.

Would you ban F150s when someone drives under the influence and kills somebody?

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Altho Card is no longer on deck--thank God--there will be others. Even federal gun control may not be sufficient at this point, but it would be a start. This time, let’s not forget! Let’s rouse our legislators to action. Please!!

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in 2021 gun rights groups spent almost $16m lobbying as opposed to gun control groups $3m.

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Heartbreaking that commnsense can't prevail and make asssault rifes and guns inaccessible!

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Need to ban the items that cause more deaths first.

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gun laws are necessary to control who has access to lethal weapons.

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Exactly what laws?

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