Thanks to everyone who attended the vigil on Sunday, Jan 8 that marked one year since the horrific shooting in Tucson, Arizona.  A shooting where 19 people were shot, six of whom died including a 9-year-old girl who had simply gone to meet her Congresswoman.  

Over 70 people including several "Silent Witnesses" attended the vigil on the steps of Portland City Hall.  We had very good press coverage and hope that the vigil also lends itself to bringing awareness to the issue of gun violence.

Press Coverage:

Portland Press Herald

Lewiston Sun Journal

Kennebec Journal

The Republic (Columbus, Indiana)

WCSH 6

WGME 13

Once a bullet is fired, there’s nothing you can do to stop it.  But there are plenty of ways to make sure the trigger’s never pulled in the first place.  Get involved.  Help build safe communities, free from gun violence.

For more information contact:  info@mcahv.org or call 780-0501

Sponsors included:  Boys to Men, Family Crisis Services, Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence, Maine Council of Churches, Maine Medical Association, Peace Action Maine, Physicians for Social Responsiblity Maine Chapter, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, States United to Prevent Gun Violence

This article from the Dorchester Reporter outlines the gun pipeline of which Maine is a large supplier thanks to the loophole in our weak gun laws that allow criminals to easily obtain guns.  In Maine, criminals bring drugs from our south and criminals take guns back to our south. 

"As Watchdog New England and the Reporter reported in January [2011], investigators say most guns used by criminals in Boston are purchased originally in Georgia, New Hampshire, Maine, or Vermont, four of the 33 states nationwide that do not require full background checks. Massachusetts does."

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