Americans Are Desperately Calling For Gun Control After The Las Vegas Shooting
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the nation's history.
By now you’ve no doubt heard about the horrific mass shooting that took place in Las Vegas overnight. According to the latest reports, at least 59 people have been killed, and more than 500 people injured after a man opened fire from a hotel window into a crowd of thousands at a country music festival. It is the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
In the wake of the senseless attack, residents of Las Vegas have come together to offer food and transport to the victims. Lines outside of blood banks have been seen stretching for blocks.
Hundreds arriving at the Thomas & Mack. METRO taking statements. LV locals bringing water, providing rides back to hotels and homes. pic.twitter.com/zpZFrLdVGO
— Peter Dawson (@PeterFox5LV) October 2, 2017
Donation lines stretch down the street at Las Vegas blood bank after call to help shooting victims https://t.co/01Jv8RD22V pic.twitter.com/lNEPrQ721N
— CNN (@CNN) October 2, 2017
But amidst the displays of solidarity and grief, many prominent Americans have also expressed their frustration at the fact that the country keeps waking up to horrific stories like this, yet their elected officials remain unable – or unwilling – to enact meaningful gun control legislation.
Even as President Trump condemned the shooting as an act “of pure evil”, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders deflected questions about gun control, telling reporters that “that’s not the place that we’re in at this moment”.
In the face of political cowardice, a number of celebrities have taken to social media to call on the US government to take action.
The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots.
Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
Our grief isn’t enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
This is terrorism plain and simple. Terror bares no race, gender or religion. Democrats & Republicans please unite now #guncontrol ??
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Prayers are important but @SpeakerRyan @realDonaldTrump blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate. #GunControl act quickly. https://t.co/bXZQ7enuEp
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Sensible gun control NOW.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 2, 2017
GUN CONTROL NOW. ENOUGH ALREADY. GROW THE FUCK UP. THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN’T NEED A FUCKING MACHINE GUN. ENOUGH ALREADY. ENOUGH. ENOUGH.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 2, 2017
My heart is breaking for Las Vegas. We need love, unity, peace, gun control & for people to look at this & call this what it is = terrorism.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) October 2, 2017
sick to my stomach. we have a show tonight & i don’t know what we’re supposed to tell people. other than WE NEED GUN CONTROL.
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) October 2, 2017
No, Howard. It’s urgent right now. And it doesn’t stop! It keeps happening in America. Nowhere else like this. #GunControlNow https://t.co/HJtsdeLZN2
— John Legend (@johnlegend) October 2, 2017
Join the movement to end gun violence: Text ACT to 64433. pic.twitter.com/xN8a6vqkFx
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 2, 2017
For more information about the Las Vegas shooting as it comes to light, you can follow The Guardian‘s live blog.