America's Lethal Love Affair: Mass shooting in Maine once again ignites debate on banning the AR-15 assault rifle

A resounding call to ban AR-15 rifles in the United States has gained momentum in the wake of a devastating mass shooting incident in Lewiston, Maine. The perpetrator, armed with an AR-15, mercilessly claimed the lives of at least 22 individuals and left dozens wounded on a fateful Tuesday night. The AR-15 has left a trail of tragedy in its wake, being the weapon of choice in several horrifying massacres that have shocked the nation. Notable among these were the senseless murders of 10 individuals in a Buffalo grocery store and the heart-wrenching loss of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. The AR-15 first drew national attention when it was suspected to be the firearm used by the disturbed gunman, Adam Lanza, who perpetrated the infamous Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Connecticut in 2012. Lanza’s weapon, an ‘AR-15-style rifle’ manufactured by Remington and known as a Bushmaster, became synonymous with the urgent need for gun control. Activists have since prominently featured images of the AR-15 to symbolize the imperative for stricter firearm regulations, contending that this assault rifle is a tool of war and has no place in civilian hands. Prominent gun violence prevention activist, Shannon Watts, has repeatedly highlighted the ease of acquiring an AR-15, stating, ‘It’s harder to buy Sudafed than an AR-15 in Maine.’ Following the Lewiston tragedy, liberal pastor John Pavlovitz took to Facebook, equating the AR-15 with Republican symbols and urging a change in political leadership as a solution to gun violence. The tragic event sparked a wave of public sentiment against the AR-15, with many expressing their frustrations on various platforms. The liberal lobby group, Stand for Better, criticized the perceived inaction of Speaker of The House Mike Johnson and the GOP, contrasting their priorities with a call to ban the AR-15. Residents also held their elected representatives accountable for their stance on gun control. An irate Maine resident confronted Senator Susan Collins for her vote against an assault weapons ban, underscoring the ineffectiveness of entrusting individuals with such powerful weaponry. The ensuing political discourse has seen both sides of the spectrum engaging in heated debates. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer suggested that the outrage from the left may be politically motivated, while conspiracy theorist Cindy Robinson speculated that Democrats could exploit the tragedy to advocate for stricter gun control. While some states have taken steps to ban AR-15-style rifles, Washington State became the ninth Democrat-led state to do so in April 2023. Others, including California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Illinois, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, had already implemented similar bans. Interestingly, California, despite having such restrictions in place, still leads in the number of mass shootings. Recent developments have added complexity to the issue, with a federal judge overturning California’s ban on assault rifles. Additionally, some Republicans have worn assault rifle pins during discussions on gun safety, with mixed reactions. The Committee on Oversight and Reform voiced concerns about advertisements that glorify AR-15-style rifles, likening them to first-person shooter video games and military weaponry. These tactics have faced criticism, with Representative Carolyn Maloney denouncing them as exploitative and detrimental to public safety. In response, gun manufacturers argued that the blame for gun homicides should be placed on the individuals wielding the weapons rather than the firearms themselves. Despite the surge in gun violence in 2020, recent statistics indicate a decline in many cities.