After Lewiston shooting, Troy Jackson found the courage to change his mind | Steve Collins

Maine Lawmakers Shift Gun‑Policy Stances in Wake of Lewiston Mass Shooting

Lewiston, Maine – On October 25, 2023, a gunman opened fire on a grocery store in Lewiston, killing 18 people and injuring at least 13 others. The shooting, one of the deadliest in the state’s history, sparked a wave of calls for stronger gun‑control measures among several Maine legislators.

In the days that followed, state officials publicly revised their positions on a range of gun‑related policies. The changes were most pronounced among Senate candidate Troy Jackson, former U.S. Representative Jared Golden, and Senator Susan Collins.

A Mass Shooting That Changed Minds

The Lewiston incident, which began in the early afternoon and lasted fewer than thirty minutes, was described by police as an “unprecedented” act of violence. Victims included a 12‑year‑old girl and a 20‑year‑old woman who were both shot while working inside the store. The shooter, who was 48 at the time of the attack, was later found dead at the scene.

The tragedy drew national attention and prompted immediate calls for reform. A rally held in Lewiston on a Sunday in early 2024, featuring Senate candidate Troy Jackson and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, became a focal point for lawmakers reassessing their stances.

Jackson, a former state senator and a known gun‑rights advocate, stated during the rally, “Eighteen funerals changed me.” He added, “We cannot keep treating these mass shootings like they’re a natural disaster, like some terrible thing that just happens in America and there’s nothing that we can do about it. Because there is.” The candidate explained that the deaths prompted him to abandon his earlier positions on gun policy and to now support stronger background checks, a 72‑hour waiting period for gun purchases, and a red‑flag law that allows law‑enforcement officers to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat.

Prior to the Lewiston shooting, Jackson had received high ratings from gun‑rights groups and had voted against several gun‑control measures, including a proposed waiting period, expanded background checks, and a ban on devices that convert rifles to fire more rapidly. His new statements indicate a marked policy shift.

Democratic Representative Jared Golden

Former U.S. Representative Jared Golden, who announced he would not seek reelection to Congress in 2024, publicly reversed his earlier opposition to an assault‑rifle ban. In a statement released after the Lewiston tragedy, Golden called his prior position “a failure” and said he was “asking for forgiveness” from victims’ families and the wider community. He now supports a ban on assault rifles in Maine and has endorsed measures to curb gun violence.

Republican Senator Susan Collins

Senator Susan Collins, a long‑time advocate for moderate gun legislation, issued a different response. Collins called for limits on “very high‑capacity” magazines and suggested she might raise the minimum age for purchasing them from 18 to 21. While she has not embraced a blanket assault‑rifle ban, Collins said she is willing to consider changes to magazine‑capacity laws.

The Political Context

Troy Jackson is campaigning for a seat in the U.S. Senate as part of the 2026 election cycle. The shift in his position comes as the Maine electorate weighs candidates’ stances on public safety and gun control. Jared Golden’s announcement that he will not run for reelection to the House of Representatives has opened the seat for new candidates, further intensifying the political environment.

Reactions and Implications

The policy shifts by these lawmakers have drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters view the changes as a necessary response to the tragedy, arguing that leaders must act to prevent future shootings. Critics question whether the new positions represent genuine change or political opportunism ahead of the 2026 election.

The Lewiston shooting has already prompted local advocacy groups to intensify their lobbying efforts for tighter gun regulations. In contrast, some pro‑gun organizations have expressed concern over the potential erosion of Second Amendment protections.

As the 2026 election approaches, Maine voters will likely assess the credibility of candidates’ policy changes and their impact on the state’s gun‑control debate.