Jackson Says Lewiston Shooting Changed His Views on Gun Laws

Troy Jackson told supporters at a Lewiston rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders on Oct. 11 that the Oct. 25, 2023, mass shooting in the city led him to abandon his earlier opposition to several gun measures, according to an opinion column by Steve Collins published by The Portland Press Herald.

"Eighteen funerals changed me," Jackson said at the rally, which was held in support of his U.S. Senate bid. He said he grew up around guns and for years opposed gun bills backed by others in his party.

Before the shooting, which killed 18 people and injured at least 13, Jackson had been rated highly by pro-gun groups and voted against proposals including a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, expanded background checks and a ban on devices that increase a rifle's rate of fire. He has since supported stronger background checks, a waiting period and a red flag law allowing law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from people deemed a threat.

The column also noted that U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who is not seeking reelection in 2026, backed an assault weapons ban after the shooting, and that Sen. Susan Collins called for limits on "very high capacity" magazines and suggested she might agree to raising the age to buy them from 18 to 21.

This story was first reported by The Portland Press Herald.