Letter from the Attorney General October 27

Dear colleagues, 

This week our country saw yet another senseless mass shooting. I know for many of you the atrocity in Lewiston, Maine hit far too close to home. I am heartbroken and devastated for the victims, their families, the survivors, and the communities that will be changed forever because of these events. 

It is unconscionable that we live in a country where you can be shot by a weapon of war while bowling with your family. Or getting groceries, or attending a religious service, or going to school. Senseless acts of gun violence have plagued our country for far too long. And it is unacceptable that these events have become commonplace in the news and the world in which our young people are growing up. 

I reached out to Maine AG Frey and offered our condolences and full support, and we will continue to stand by to assist in any way we can. I am thankful to Maine’s law enforcement and to the Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement for supporting our neighbors. That gratitude is of course extended to the hospital staff and first responders from all over New England for their work helping the victims and survivors of the shooting. 

Here in Massachusetts, we are focused on preventing gun violence in all its forms in every community across the Commonwealth. We have some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country, and as a result, Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of gun deaths in the United States. But we still have much work to do to help keep every person in our state safe from the senseless atrocity of gun deaths and shootings. 

My heart goes out to all of you who have family and friends in Maine. Please take the time to check-in with them. 

And to everyone in this Office, please take care of yourself. In our work, we are often exposed to the details of these horrific events without an opportunity to process or mourn. As I’ve said before in another context, I encourage team members to take the time they need for themselves and to connect with colleagues, family, and friends to offer and receive support. And remember, you can reach out to a mental health professional by calling 833-773-2445 or visiting https://masshelpline.com. 

I am proud to be a part of an office that works so hard to uphold and defend our commonsense gun laws. We must continue working toward our shared goal of preventing gun violence, and actualizing policy and change in not only our state, but across New England and the entire country. 

With tremendous gratitude, 

Andrea