Sunday June 8th at 10:08 p.m., Jason Aldean’s playing at the Music Festival was interrupted by the sounds of gunfire. 64-year-old Stephen Paddock stood in his room at the Bay Resort on the 32nd floor showering fans with blasts of bullets for an ongoing ten minutes. This act of terrorism has been labeled as the biggest mass shooting in U.S. history.
This catastrophe has affected many people: those living in close proximity to the mass shooting, friends not knowing whether or not their loved ones made it out alive, and our country dealing with the heartache of this affliction. President Donald Trump has started a big movement on account to this horrific event. On October 2nd, 2017 the bell tolled three times as a solemn President paused on the White House South Lawn for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of Sunday’s mass shooting. This was “ …an act of pure evil … the nation is joined together today in sadness, shock and grief,” explained our president.
But how can we prevent more tragedies like this one? This deadly mass shooting has restarted the long debate of whether or not something can be done to impede these recurring slaughters. According to a writer on The Atlantic, what should be done is “ Limit gun purchases by any person to no more than, say two a month, and tighten rules on straw purchasers who buy for criminals. Make serial numbers harder to remove.” But once you have realized that it is reasonable for citizens to accumulate firearms at the rate of twenty-four a year, it is hard to imagine that there is really anything else you can do that will prevent gun deaths. Americans die from gunfire in amounts unparalleled in the civilized world because Americans own guns in amounts unparalleled in the civilized world. More guns equal more fatal gun accidents, increased amounts of suicides, and more everyday arguments inflating into murderous fusillades.
“ In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one. And it always has.” These words spoken by President Trump has given us hope about our next steps. Residents, faith leaders, and lawmakers gathered together on the front steps of City Hall where candles were lit for each of the 59 lives lost in the massacre. The crowd began to sing and mourn the loss of their loved ones.
By Katarina Riggan
The Claw 