Yet another mass shooting leaves nation shocked

Answers are elusive, but clearly, change is needed

The news Monday morning was shocking — at least 59 dead and over 500 injured in the nation’s worst mass shooting in modern history.

We’ve asked this question before, and we’ll ask it again: What can be done to prevent these tragedies?

Likely, the solution lies in some mixture of tighter gun regulations, better background checks and better access to mental health care across America, as well as removing the stigma tied to mental health issues — but despite shooting after shooting, we’ve failed to gain traction on any of these topics.

And frankly, it’s not as simple as “gun control legislation” — although there may be some merit in tightening rules on who can purchase guns and ammunition, and what types of weapons should be available for purchase in our country. Background checks and mental health screenings before purchases aren’t a bad thing either — but we’re not convinced any of these actions would have made a difference in this case. The shooter, Stephen Paddock, was a not a felon, and lived a relatively quiet life, according to initial media reports.

However, we do have some thoughts on the situation, and the mass shootings that have come before it.

We’re tired of waking up to the same horrific news over and over again: Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Tucson, San Bernardino, Orlando … where does it end?

We’re tired of asking the same questions over and over again.

We’re tired of blaming the weapon — “stop gun violence” has resulted in inaction, and falls on deaf ears.

We’re tired of the callous that has formed on our nation as these violent acts happen over and over again.

We’re tired of inaction and squabbling by our politicians, especially on this issue.

We’re tired of hearing empty platitudes from those same politicians.

We’re tired of trying to explain to our children why people commit such violent, atrocious acts.

We’re tired of trying to find the right words to say every time there’s another mass killing.

We’re tired — simply tired — of having these mass shootings happen over and over again.

Attacks like this one should not happen. Consider Las Vegas — media reports note that almost every inch of the Vegas Strip is under constant surveillance, but that doesn’t help when the shooter is holed up above the Strip. And another citizen with a weapon would have been powerless to stop the shooter, given the shooter’s position and vantage point. What’s next, America? How do we prevent these acts from happening?

We simply don’t know. It’s time though to start these conversations anew.

In the meantime, today, as always, our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims and their families of the Las Vegas shootings.

Continued prayers for our brothers and sisters in Las Vegas.

“No popularity exists when tragedy strikes. All that’s left are human hearts and love and ache. We all love each other, deep down, and when we see another soul in pain, we can’t help but hurt too.”

— Maya Van Wagenen