Oct. 25, 2023, will be a day I won’t forget. It was the day of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting in Lewiston, my hometown. When I called to check on family members, my brother shared that his daughter-in-law’s cousin was among the 18 victims murdered by Robert Card. Another 13 victims were injured.

Eventually, we learned that the family and friends of Robert Card worried he would commit violence, and reported those concerns to law enforcement. Due to Maine’s weak Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws, law enforcement was prevented from removing Robert Card’s guns, including the assault-style rifle he used in the massacre.

Following the tragedy, a state investigation found Maine’s laws insufficient in preventing this massacre. This November, Mainers can help enact stronger Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, by voting “Yes” on citizen-initiated ballot Question 2.

Cathy Register
Cape Elizabeth