Letter to The Forecaster
By Dr. James H. Maier
January 11, 2007
Thanks for Amy Anderson’s excellent review of the documentary film “There Ought to be a Law,” describing the courageous efforts of Cathy Crowley to persuade Maine legislators to enact a waiting period of gun sales to anyone under 21.
A single Lewiston mother working two jobs whose son Larry tragically committed suicide in 2004 just after buying a rifle at Wal-Mart, Crowley has worked tirelessly with state Rep. Margaret Craven and Sen Ethan Strimling to get Maine to adopt the same type of waiting period for gun purchases already passed in 19 other states.
Despite strong public support, compelling testimony by professionals and parents at a public hearing, and what seemed initially to be the backing of many legislators, this potentially life-saving measure failed to pass last year presumably due to behind-the-scenes lobbying by the National Rifle Association.
Attending the premiere of this poignant and professionally produced film at Central Maine Community College were the filmmakers, several legislators, and Cathy Crowley and her family. It, and they, received a prolonged standing ovation and many thoughtful suggestions about how to promote the film to wider audiences, and generate much-needed debate and discussion of the issues it raises.
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