Here are some of my thoughts and experiences from my visit to Las Vegas, only days after the mass shooting that took place on October 1, 2017.
Where should I start? I received an email from a friend last Monday morning telling me about the new in Las Vegas. She was emailing since she knew I was going to be Las Vegas in October for a country concert. It was touching to hear from her. My friend Marie and I went to Las Vegas, days after the shooting from October 6-9 since we planned a trip to see Rascal Flatts in concert. We were not going to let fear win and not go to allow one manâs choice to ruin our plans. Overall, I had a wonderful experience in Las Vegas but of course it was more emotionally then we planned it to be due to recent events.
My first reaction to the news is the same reaction I always get when hearing about a mass shooting; disgust and heartbreak. Whatâs disheartening is the shock value seems to be fading since the number of mass shootings that have occurred make it seem like this is becoming a norm of tragic news. Thatâs not okay, we should NEVER be okay with the amount of mass shootings risings over the years, or any tragic events involving violence whether itâs in America or any other country. We need to be shock because this SHOULD never become normal. We should be outraged, heartbroken that innocent people are dead, and talk about how to prevent mass shootings from happening again. Isnât that what we need to learn to improve our society? To learn from our own and other mistakes, or pure hate. Shouldnât we as a country want to avoid tragedies like this? Donât we want to prompt love, acceptance, tolerance, compassion, and kindness verses hate, fear, violence and death?
October 9th, before Marie and I left Vegas, we went to go and see the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. It was one of the last things we did. We rented a car the previous day and drove to the welcome sign and it didnât even dawn on us that the sign was located near where the shooting occurred. Instantly, our moods shifted when visiting the sign and my experience became more emotional. It made perfect sense that people would pay their respects and memorialize the sight. Itâs so easy to hear news like this, get outraged, voice our frustrations on Facebook and/or social media, pray, wish people and/or issues would change, then, we move on. Simply because we have too, itâs life. However, each tragedy leaves a personal impression on us depending on how deeply connected we are to the tragedy. For me, Las Vegas has left a mark.
First, I must say I was not at the concert when the shooting happened and I did not personally know anyone at the concert or any of the victims. I only visited Vegas, days after to see Rascal Flatts in concert with a friend. I knew the basics of what happened from the news. I heard stories from concert goerâs in interviews. Iâm only sharing my thoughts and experience when visiting the city days after and how itâs affected me.
When walking to the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign, I had only felt that way once before. It was when I visited New York City for the first time and walked to ground zero. At the time, the area was closed off and all it was rumble and dirt. Â Two completely difference experiences but at both sights, I felt deeply heartbroken, depressed, terrified, angry, but buried underneath a light of hope.
There were several flowers, candles, and other objects to memorialize the 58 victims. There were signs next to flowers and some hung on the fences near by. People left messages where they could. Behind the sign, there were 58 crosses for the victims. I paid my respects, and walk passed each cross, noticing their photographs, little details of who they were. I saw messages from loves ones, photographs, and flowers. I couldnât really speak, I didnât know what to say. I couldnât find the right words, and didnât want to have recycle words that are so commonly used. It didnât feel right.
Leaving, I shed a few tears. I was and still am heartbroken for their families and friends as I canât even begin to imagine their pain, loss and angry. Once I composed myself, I took all of my emotions and channeled the light of hope I felt. The good of humanity was displayed at the Welcome Sign, as a community came together to remember the innocent victims. People are sadden and what to recognized that innocent people were killed.
There is good in us, but why does it have to take a terrible tragedies for us to set aside our differences to come together as Americans, or human beings?â Rascal Flatts spoke at the concert and said, âFirst and foremost we are Americans, letâs come together as Republicans and Democrats.â (thatâs a short summary) As, I cheered and agreed with the crowd, I was also angry. We donât need tragedies like this to come together, we already have compassion. Why canât we respect each other now?
Why do people NOT want to talk about gun control, especially after mass shootings? I completely understand the fact that we should respect the victims and their families. How is avoiding the issue on gun control NOT relevant? Iâm not saying, letâs take everyoneâs guns away. Thatâs unrealistic and naive thinking for sure, but itâs also naive for people on the other side who only say, âWell, itâs our second amendment right, end of conversation.â
No, both sides need to talk, listen, and MAKE changes because CHANGES need to happen to improve our culture.
Every situation or person who carried out these shootings were different. Every mass shooting from Las Vegas, to Orlando, Sandy Hook, to the shooting at the movie theater in Aurora, to Columbine, etc⊠Itâs important for everyone to know all the facts from each situation. Itâs easy to get emotional and just react. Iâm completely guilty of this.
To me, a common component of these tragedies are the weapon of choice â guns.
I completely agree, that guns are not the only issue we need to talk about. There is a huge problem with mental illnesses in America that people would love to ignore. Itâs not talked about enough, there is a huge stereotype around mental illness, and again avoiding the issues, does not help.
I am saying, we need to talk about Guns in America and the policies set in places to prevent innocent deaths.
So, letâs talk about this saying, âGuns donât kill people, people kill people.â
Now, I understand what this statement is applying, itâs like saying âCars donât kill people, people kill people.â
Okay, now let me explain how strongly I disagree this with phrasing.
Personally, I hate guns, always have and always will. I am completely uncomfortable around them. Iâm terrified of gun and should be, itâs a deadly weapon. I firmly believe that NOT everyone should OWN and/or carry guns. Not everyone is stable, mature, or educated enough to handle guns. Sure, we should all have the right to be able to bear arms, purchase, and carry a weapon but there has to be rules and restrictions. NOT everyone should have access, own or be near guns.
Americans have the right to get their driverâs license but there is a process set in place. Â You have to take classes, a test and be qualified. NOT everyone gets a driver license. I know itâs pretty rare, as the majority of people I know drive but I know a few people who do not have a driver licenses due to mental health issues. (Other personal reasons) I donât really know where I am going with this comparison but what I am trying to say is there are way too many loop holes for the wrong people to get access to weapons that are designed to âkillâ or âinjuryâ people. Shouldnât there be policies set in places to prevent mass shooting from happening?
Guns are weapons. I understand that we all live in different cities in America and I am blessed to have been raised in a community where I feel safe and donât feel like I would need to a gun for protection. I have nothing against people who own guns and need a gun to feel safe  because honestly, I donât live their life.
Guns do kill people. Guns are weapons. Weapons cause injury that can lead to death.
Guns are a weapon design to injury, harm and even kill. Guns are a symbol of fear.
Iâm not saying ALL guns are the devil and need to be destroyed. I understand the need for guns, for protection. In the right hands, sure situations could turn out better and have saved several lives. However, I think guns do ALOT more harm than good.
In conclusion, I have to ask you, America, our government and the world, âWho or what are you waiting for, to make gun control a priority? Who has to died to get your attention? Because, there is already a long list of names that are pretty important and the list seems to keep growing. Now, we can 58 more names on that list. It was really difficult for me not think, what if? It could have easily happened to anyone of us. Would your name matter, would mind?
Thoughts and prayers are words to show compassion. Itâs good to know, people are compassionate. But arenât you tired like me of hearing the same recycled statements from politicians, celebrities, co-workers and everyone. Iâm just a guilty as everyone, for sure because itâs not good to dwell on all the tragedies. It kills the spirit and itâs important to have faith (in whatever you believe) to move forward because we are not guarantee tomorrow.
Names matter. They matter, and should NOT be forgotten.
