The President

Biden consoles those impacted by Maine mass shootings

The Oct. 25 shootings at a local bowling alley and a bar left 18 people dead and 13 others injured in a community rarely impacted by gun violence.

Biden consoles those impacted by Maine mass shootings
Evan Vucci / AP
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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrived in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday to mourn with a community in anguish after 18 people were killed in two mass shootings last week. In addition to those killed, 13 others were wounded in the Oct. 25 shootings at a local bowling alley and a bar.

The Bidens met with first responders and placed flowers at a memorial for the victims. 

"Too many Americans have lost loved ones or survived the trauma of gun violence," Biden said. 

What we know about the victims of the Maine mass shootings
What we know about the victims of the Maine mass shootings

What we know about the victims of the Maine mass shootings

Among the victims from Wednesday's attack were a lifelong bowler, a beloved bar manager, a new father, and members of a cornhole league.

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The president noted that his Trip to Maine resembles several others he's has made over the past year. The president also visited communities in Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; and Monterey Park, California — all impacted by senseless mass shootings. 

In Maine, Biden once again called for "common sense, reasonable, responsible" measures to protect communities from gun violence. 

Biden didn't not lay out specifics during his speech, but in a statement last week, he called for a ban on so-called assault weapons. 

"I once again call on Republicans in Congress to fulfill their obligation to keep the American people safe. Until that day comes, I will continue to do everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic," Biden said. "The Lewiston community — and all Americans — deserve nothing less."