Monday morning, we woke up to the horrific news of the Las Vegas shooting, which is now known as the deadliest shooting in U.S. history.
With so much tragedy in the past few years, many argue we are a little too comfortable with seeing the notification pop up on our phones. While it is true that violence, shootings, and attacks are more of a norm for America rather than a shock, I do not think that is what we need to focus on.
After reading something as heavy as this, many of us are first in shock. The ones who are fortunate enough to have stayed safe feel relieved and think about, ‘what if that was me’. Usually, there are posts remembering our loved ones, sending prayers to families, and offering any aid we can to the victims.
As I scrolled through my Facebook feeds, I saw things saying “praying isn’t enough”, “This is why we need gun control”, “We are tired of this, and “This wouldn’t have happened if our current administration did this”.
While it is human nature to question and analyze situations, and there is still questions to be answered, no one hesitated to become politically charged and angry about the situation and causation. It is hard to read something like this with so many questions. How did he get so many guns? How did no one see? And the “what ifs”.
However, out of many tragic events, this one many of us skipped the mourning and sympathy process. We all want to say why it shouldn’t have happened and create change, we forgot the ones who lost their kids and spouses.
This is the deadliest shooting in U.S. history why did we jump so fast to rage instead of sympathy, remorse, and helping. Many do not know the vast blood donation program being held in the City and around it, as well as the GoFundMe, created to help subsidize medical bills of survivors.
I understand the anger and how we all wish this could have been prevented. But did we react this harshly because of the controversial presidential time period we are in? Did we stop feeling sympathetic because we are “fed up” with hearing tragedies?
It is important, and our right to evaluate and scrutinize situations like this to help try and solve the problems we have in the modern day. However, there is a time and place for this, and it is not the day after 59 innocent American’s lost their lives.
Many of us want to re-evaluate gun control, and I agree, but not necessarily with the physical guns needing to be taken away. The need for gun control is high, but not for fewer guns. We have a human problem, not a gun problem. Plenty of people who feel comfortable with a gun in their home for safety would never think to use it in such a heinous way. It is our right and we are entitled to feeling safe and like we have a strong source of self-defense.
Focusing on only the problem, rather than the individuals does not always help us get the results we need. Drugs are illegal, and the illegal drug use and deaths are on the rise. Places like England have begun to create treatment centers that simulate on safe usage. They are focusing on the client rather than the problem.
We have a clear mental health problem in our country. The vetting process would handle much of our gun control issue, it's true. However, there are always going to be a few people that slip through those cracks. When buying a gun, it is not the most complex process. In Rhode Island, it takes one week and a clear background check, along with a “pistol permit”, that’s it.
Stores, family, and friends should always be looking for warning signs in people. Unfortunately, that is the world we live in. The person who committed the Las Vegas crime was an avid gambler, drinker and would generally keep to himself according to statements made by multiple media outlets. That isn't to say that anyone who drinks, gambles or keeps to themselves is going to be a terrorist. It may be when all of those add up and become a problem that there is an intervention to be made.
This is not the only solution, there are many things needed to be evaluated, but gun control can’t be the only thing to be blamed for this massacre. Every attack is unique and the leftover information that unfolds usually gives insight into the emotional, psychological, and situational factors of the perpetrator.
America, this is our time to get it right, together, as one. Let’s stop worrying about Kylie’s baby, Football teams taking the knee, and Twitter fights. Now it is time to focus on our neighbors and the well-being of our society. How to protect ourselves and our peers. Let’s put our wellness, health, struggles, ideas, and feelings together to make everyone feel safe, content, and successful, politics aside.
