How do we go forward? East Students speak up regarding the Las Vegas Massacre

On October 1, 2017, the largest mass shooting in the history of the United States occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada during a Jason Aldean concert. The gunman, Stephen Paddock, 64, then took his own life in his room on the 32nd floor of the hotel where the shooting took place. In the wake of this senseless tragedy, emotions and declarations of change have flown from the mouths of adults and students alike. During LB1 on October 6, 2017, Eastside polled a random sample students in the halls to get a sense of the tragedy as East students view it.

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The first thing asked of students was, simply, where do we go from here as a nation? Do we implement stronger gun policy? All of the students interviewed said that implementing gun control laws was a requisite for the United States in its attempt to move on from the senseless Las Vegas tragedy.

“I [do not] think that any Joe Smo should get access to these crazy machine guns…I think [President Trump] needs to step up his game,” said Sarah Craig (’18)

Some, while supporting the implementation of stronger gun policy, are unsure of how effective it might be.

“I do think gun control is necessary, but I think [the United States is] at a point where it might not do much good because [we are] at a point in…the world and our technology where if you really wanted to get your hands on a gun or even figure out how to make a gun that could kill a lot of people, you could do it…if you take away guns, [they will] use bombs, if you somehow take away bombs, [they will] use busses,” said Devin Holmes (’18).

It has often been remarked by pundits and people alike that mass shootings have become normal, something that some of the students interviewed touched upon when describing their personal reaction to the tragedy.

“I felt awful that this was…something that I was accustomed to…ever since the terrorist attacks in Paris, all these attacks that have been happening, [I have] just kind of grown…null to it” said Dominic Watson (’21)

Some students, however, were surprised by the events in Las Vegas.

I was…appalled…that someone would do this without…valid reasoning” said Chloe Schaeffer (’19).

In the wake of this tragedy, the United States is faced with the monumental task of not only deciding a way forward, but in bridging the gaps that have been caused by the events in Las Vegas, and other tragedies like it.

“[This is] the United States, we should be…more together, love each other, [we are] family,” said Ryan Cherfane (’20).