Maine is hunting country. Most say assault rifles are not part of that

In the bitter and politically fraught gun ownership debate in the US, distinctions are often lost, leaving some frustrated

The mass shooting deaths of 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, has again shone a spotlight on gun ownership and safeguards around mental health in a state that has prided itself both on high levels of gun ownership and low levels of violent crime.

The suspect, an experienced marksman and US army reservist Robert Card, is believed to have used an AR-15 military style weapon with an expanded magazine, perhaps carrying 60 rounds, similar to the gun that was found later in his abandoned car. Card was found dead Friday night and is thought to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a law enforcement official said.