My wife and I took our son, 5, and daughter, 3, to their first movie in theaters over the weekend” “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie.” As big fans of the show, they were excited. However, as the protagonist had to confront her antagonist, and she seemed uncertain to prevail, they both became gripped with worry, broke down in tears and had to leave the theater.

It is to them, their sweet naivete, empathy and propensity to worry, that my mind quickly went when I heard about the tragic, senseless events in Lewiston. Will I have to try to explain this to them? Will it come up at school? Will they wonder if they are going to die and not want to leave the house? Will they ask me to hold them?

I have been fed up with this country’s nihilistic resignation to and enthusiastic fetishization of guns for some time, but with the false sense of distance from the issue we in Maine have lived with for a long time. Now, I am mad as hell and I don’t want to take this. I don’t care about nuance. I don’t care about thoughts and prayers. I want to see those elected to represent me and my children to stand up and do something.

Just because we have failed as a society for so long doesn’t mean it’s too late to start doing the right thing now. Ban assault weapons, limit magazine capacities, strengthen background checks, enhance red flag laws. Make us safer.

Noah Fralich
Falmouth

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