It was Oct. 25 the day I left Lewiston to fly to Florida. On the second leg of my flight from Baltimore to Orlando, I was watching CNN News on the plane when the announcement came that there was a mass shooter in Lewiston with 16 dead and another 50 to 60 wounded. (Early media reports were updated throughout the night to report the final tally of 18 dead and 13 wounded.)

You always wonder if and when such an incident could happen in your community. Well, here it was.

Being confined to a plane, I felt such a sense of helplessness knowing my family was in Lewiston where I was born and served it for 30 years in a number of capacities, including as police chief and mayor. When I reached our home in Florida, I watched the television coverage until 4:30 a.m.

The response by my former police department and all of the local, county, state and federal agencies, elected officials and administrative staff was outstanding and I send my commendation. The response was so professional and knowing that media coverage went out to the country and the world, I was so impressed and proud.

As a decades old advocate for good common sense gun legislation, I hope politicians will finally head our call to act. Our protection is their duty. Mental illness alone is not the problem. The problem is mental illness with a gun. The two, as evidenced, is a combination for disaster.

Let us all continue to pray for the families of the deceased and injured, including Mr. Card. Our hearts go out to all of them.

Lewiston Strong.

Larry Gilbert, Sr., The Villages, Florida

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