The White House Gun Violence Prevention Office has swiftly responded to the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, offering aid and support to the community and state. Established in September by President Biden, this is the first-ever gun violence prevention office, similar to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that responds to natural disasters. The office’s director, Stefanie Feldman, likens gun violence to a superstorm that impacts communities across the country, and believes that the newly established federal agency can provide swift assistance in the aftermath of mass shootings.
After the shooting in Lewiston on October 25, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention sent a team to the city just four days later. Gregory Jackson, the deputy director, arrived in Maine at the request of Governor Janet Mills and utilized federal resources to organize funeral costs, trauma specialists for schools, and financial aid for affected businesses. Jackson emphasized that while law enforcement agencies have traditionally responded to mass shootings, the federal government lacked a unified response that addressed the broader impacts, such as businesses losing money due to closures during investigations or schools reopening without adequate trauma support. Jackson sees his role as facilitating faster and more efficient access to federal assistance for states and cities during times of crisis.
Governor Mills recently announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved her request to offer emergency financial assistance to businesses impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston. The federal agency has declared an Economic Injury Disaster Loan for businesses in Lewiston, Lisbon, and Bowdoin, making low-interest loans of up to $2 million available to eligible small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and nonprofits in the affected counties. This financial aid will help support these businesses as they recover from the shooting.
Moving forward, the Gun Violence Prevention Office is committed to expediting the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and President Biden’s gun violence prevention agenda. This includes measures such as banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as requiring background checks for all gun sales. The office aims to build out a comprehensive gun violence response system that can effectively address gun violence incidents across the nation.
The swift response and support provided by the White House Gun Violence Prevention Office in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting demonstrates its commitment to helping communities recover and prevent future tragedies. This historic level of support highlights the importance of having a dedicated federal agency to address gun violence and provide timely assistance to communities in need.
