Last week, the legislature introduced L.D. 2224, the first bill of this session addressing gun safety. While some may view it as a response to the heartbreaking tragedy in Lewiston last year, it is merely a delayed initial step in confronting the longstanding crisis of gun violence in our nation.

I grew up in Florida surrounded by stories from Pulse Nightclub to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

But no one has felt the impact of this epidemic more acutely than our children.

Since 2020, firearms have been the leading cause of death for children in the United States. In contrast, in only one comparable country, Canada, are firearms even among the top five causes of child mortality, ranking as the fifth. Canada suffered 48 child deaths by firearms between 2020-2021.

The United States had 4,733.

We have an opportunity to alter this grim reality by advocating for four priorities in commonsense gun safety:
1. Expanded background checks
2. Implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders
3. Enactment of 72-hour waiting periods
4. Adoption of an assault weapons ban

As a medical student at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine aspiring to become a pediatrician here in Maine, I am deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children. I urge anyone who shares my concern for the safety, dreams, and fundamental right to life of Maine’s children to support their legislators in passing meaningful gun safety legislation. It’s time for us to be the heroes our kids need.

Austin Vaughan

Topsham

 

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