Las Vegas Concert Mass Shooting

[Skarekrow]

What a terrible, terrible act.
It’s hard to even find the words that one person could be capable of such horrible acts.
My heart aches for those involved and their families...this is incredibly sad for humanity in general.
I will be sending prayers all day.
Please join me in denouncing hate and violence in our lives and country.
Love to all those who lost their lives, may they be always remembered with love and the lives they touched.
To all those who are injured and fighting for their lives in the hospital - prayers are pouring in, may you all pull though and fully recover.
Also thoughts of love and grace to the police, fire, medics, and all those involved in helping to save the lives of what could have been even more.

In case you haven’t heard, there was a mass shooting last night at an outdoor concert near the Mandalay Bay Hotel (where the gunman was shooting from) in Las Vegas.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/10/02/worst-mass-shootings-u-s-history/722254001/
He had more than 10 fully automatic rifles...and must have had more than 400 rounds as at least 400 are injured and 50+ dead.
Some speculation of previous mental illness regarding the shooter.
The 64 year old man apparently took his own life as the cops breached the door of his room


What are your own thoughts concerning this tragedy?
This is the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
Something needs to change my friends.

 

[Skarekrow]

Las Vegas and Nevada have some of the most relaxed gun laws in the US.
Now there is even a bill in Congress to make silencers legal.
Apparently to protect the ears of the hunters.
Sure.

If this guy were mentally unstable, then he should have no access to guns.

I don’t want to use this tragedy to just shit on guns and the NRA.
I realize they will drive trucks through the crowd if they can’t get access to guns...but really?
Why put weapons designed specifically to kill people in the hands of the mentally ill?
I do fully support our right to bear arms here in the US - though we need new restrictions and laws.
Is there a solution to the gun issue here in the US - and we do have a gun problem.
Kids shooting up schools.
People shooting up their workplace.
Crazy people shooting from bell towers or hotel rooms.
Not okay.
Let’s stop doing nothing please!

Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions?
This should never happen again.
We need to make mental health services available to people who need help.
But it just isn’t there in our infrastructure.
No school should ever be shot up again.
No more toddlers shooting people - so far 23 this year.

This is too heartbreaking.

 

[Skarekrow]

Not all at once now...
The posts are getting out of control.

No one has any thoughts or deeper context, meaning, etc.?

 

[Milktoast Bandit]

This is bullshit and I'm tired of this crap happening.

I just read an article where the shooter's brother said he was just a normal dude. No political or religious affiliation. Not a "gun guy," no criminal history, and no mental illness.

Of course, we may learn more in the coming days. Also, now get this: This is unbelievable. He was white! Now we need a wall to keep white people out...

 

[Skarekrow]

This is bullshit and I'm tired of this crap happening.

I just read an article where the shooter's brother said he was just a normal dude. No political or religious affiliation. Not a "gun guy," no criminal history, and no mental illness.

Of course, we may learn more in the coming days. Also, now get this: This is unbelievable. He was white! Now we need a wall to keep white people out...

Yes...it seems that he was keeping this part of his life a secret from his family as they all seem in disbelief that he even did such a thing.
His brother says there was “nothing” as far as any religious affiliations or political leanings, etc.
He did frequent the casino circuit apparently, so one has to wonder if he lost everything he owned to gambling or something related to that.
That’s about the best theory I’ve heard thus far.
I know...white people have by far surpassed everyone in the mass shoot dept.
Latinos and african-americans will usher their children to - hurry along now...don’t look at the white guy...I said don’t look!

I’m sick of hearing about it too.
I’m tired of hearing about children shooting other children, themselves, or an adult...though the adult probably deserves it.
School shootings are a dime a dozen now...I can’t even remember them all...that is really sad that anyone would have to look up all the names of the schools because there are so many.
Stand up to the NRA you pussy Congress...but then your re-election funding might be cut....shit...should I be moral, or buy that new beach house?
The whole thing is unbelievable and a sad moment for our supposed “civilized” society we live in.
I say BS.
The really sad part is this will increase gun sales.
Oh shit, better go get one for myself before everyone has one but me...fear, fear, fear, fear.
There should be no more fairground Gun Shows that barely circumvent the laws in place...also the person to person gun sales that require no background check nor notice of transfer of a firearm to anyone.

 

[pzl2lxie81mc]

I feel incredibly sad for those killed and injured and their families. It’s frightening how frequent these events take place, and how casualties get larger and larger, as the gunmen and their weaponry become increasingly sophisticated.

I think the obvious thing to do is try and minimize the damage with stricter gun laws. Yet, the gun-loving conservatives keep fighting against gun control and there is no working with them. I mean, I’m flabbergasted that so many on the right are willing to pander to the callous and cruel assertions of Alex Jones, who said the shootings at Sandy Hook was a hoax.

That Alex Jones is invited to the White House is just a sign of how widely accepted it is now for the right to say whatever is convenient for them, and believe it as truth, in hopes that it becomes so. The cycle of denial and blaming the others, while avoiding their responsibility, is the name of the game now. I will wait and see while this administration and the Republican Congress do nothing.

 

[Wyote]

This dude is my hero. I'm sure liquid courage helped.

 

[Sandie33]

What are your own thoughts concerning this tragedy?
This is the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
Something needs to change my friends.

Agreed.

If we don't change the current mindset moving across the nation like a wildfire in the west we are truly in for a destructive ride.

Things can get better.

As I said in the WWYF thread, we need to get to know our neighbors better. Regardless of where we live, we need to begin looking out for one another as a way to form a more healthy sense of security and wellbeing. We need to change the paranoid mindset that everyone is out to harm us. Stop all this petty squabbling over little matters, because in the big picture of things, LITTLE MATTERS.

Currently, the 'this one matters, that one matters' mantras are every where. We ALL matter. And I hate to burst the bubble of far to many self-righteous individuals...NO ONE MATTERS MORE THAN ANOTHER ONE MATTERS, AND NO LESS! We all matter equally. No one is above or beneath another, regardless of color, creed, socionomic status, or any other divisional attribute we can label each other with.

I get so angry...deep in my soul angry, when I see all the comparisons and degrading labels people attach to each other as a way to enforce their superiority over another. I look at some of them in my circle when they start spouting off in their authoritative superior self and ask, "Who wipes your ass for you? That's right, you do. So, why do you have people thinking for you? You're smart enough to wipe your own ass, but not smart enough to think about why what you say and do is hurtful, destructive and just plain wrong? Perhaps you should ask these leaders of yours to wipe your ass too? I guarantee they will not and they'll leave you with your drawers as full of shit as they are. The only benefit will be is that once your pants fill up, you will be just as uncomfortable as you are making the people with your superior attitude!"

@Skarekrow the 'yous' are euphmirial not directive...same with the caps, I'm not yelling, my heart hurts from the pain of it. All of us are in my thoughts. I have friends and family there in Vegas I've been trying to regain my composure since 4:30 a.m. I watched CBS and CNBC and chased my phone in calls & texts as the body count rose. Last call was 58 dead, 400+ injured, which doesn't equate 400+ shot because of scrapnal, debris and tramplings, etc. It is unconscionable that this average guy got his hands on 10 weapons. How did he get them into the damn hotel room over a 5 day period? How did the cleaning crew NOT see them? If they were each in a suitcase, wouldn't it be a red flag a single guy with so much luggage?

The news gurus claim he recently gambled away a bunch of money, had a falling out with his relationship, mental health issues, a law suit....basically guessing! Facts are, he's dead and he can't tell us all why he did what he did. The olny thing we can do that's healthy is to move forward with our best intent. Befriend our neighbors, be watchful for oddities of behavior....pay the fuck attention to what we are doing and what's going on around us, get our faces out of our screens and earbuds out of our ears and interact with the world around us...for goodness sake, what if this is all there is? Do we want our epitath to read "S/he was good with the phone", or our ulugy to be read by someone, "I didn't really know him/her", and it's our parent, brother, sister, neighbor, friend reading the ulugy!

We all need to be present and for goodness sake, Wake Up!

Thank you for a space to rant, and keeping us all in your prayers...❤ Since when is hope become so full of doubt??

 

[Wyote]

It is unconscionable that this average guy got his hands on 10 weapons.

It's not that many. I have an uncle who owns around 30 or 40 I think, and my dad owns around 12, I lost count. What's different is that they were possibly fully automatic which is not allowed in most states.
Even so, if a person were to use a semi-automatic in a similar scenario they could cause a similar amount of damage. It would be a lot harder but still doable, especially with an accomplice and some gun modifications.

What's crazy is that he was somehow able to bust out the window (they are incredibly strong and thick (twss)) and even hit much of anyone with a kill shot at that distance.

How did he get them into the damn hotel room over a 5 day period? How did the cleaning crew NOT see them?

Probably a couple at a time taking a few trips. Not that much of a red flag. Cleaning people don't usually look through your things if they are in any way closed.

It's sad and scary, but if somebody wants to do something like this it's a lot easier than is comfortable to think about.

 

[Littlelissa]

Outlaw guns. Make it so that no man has the right to bear arms. That's it, that's what you need to do. If you don't want people to go around killing other people take away the guns and change the culture. It has to start with that. Look at other countries in comparison. There is no comparison, why is that? Because no other culture has normalised the right to bear arms as much as the US. That has to change, cut out the politics and lobbyists. Go for complete eliminination amongst laymen and away from specific specialised sites. it's the only thing that makes sense and the only thing that'll make a difference

 

[James]

This is bullshit and I'm tired of this crap happening.

I just read an article where the shooter's brother said he was just a normal dude. No political or religious affiliation. Not a "gun guy," no criminal history, and no mental illness.

Of course, we may learn more in the coming days. Also, now get this: This is unbelievable. He was white! Now we need a wall to keep white people out...

What a sad crazy thing, condolences all.

It's hard to take in why an older, seemingly normal man, would do something like this. His family did look genuinely stunned.

As far as I have read he had no prior record, no known history of violence. I think there's some speculation he'd split up with his partner.

I hope something practical can be done, in whatever form, to help the victims and reduce the risks of future incidents.

The main things I think that are emerging, is the swift and courageous way the police took action. Complete strangers in trauma, trying to help each other, and driving people to hospital. Then large numbers of people turning up to donate blood.

 

[MrSquared]

Very sad. Very scary. Praying for all those involved and affected.

 

[Littlelissa]

I don't understand why if people are so fucked off with life, they can't just kill themselves... I mean just bow out. No need to destroy so many other lives aswell. People who are a danger to themselves can easily become a danger to others- times are increasingly unstable. Guns are just too much of a risk.

 

[kfg(atj]

We need to look to other countries and see what’s working elsewhere. I personally think Australia’s approach to firearms is pretty reasonable.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Australia

 

[Sandie33]

It's sad and scary, but if somebody wants to do something like this it's a lot easier than is comfortable to think about.

I can't disagree. I own fire arms, but do not nor would I own a semi auto, or an auto. For what I use them for, I do not need more than one shot at a time strategically aimed. I used to kid with fellow huntsmen and clay target assisins that semis and autos are for people that can't hit what their aiming at. Since the upsurge of mass-shootings, I don't kid about gun talk. I don't talk about it at all unless someone asks. The stigma attached now because of misuse makes shooting and marksmanship a taboo hobby.

Gun count now is 17. If they were all semis/autos, holding about a 30 round clip each, that's roughly 510 rounds. He'd had to guage wind volocity, hieght, and distance...if he shot into the pavement the ricochet effect would explain the hits.

It is a sad, sad day (time) for sure. My heart and head hurts at the loss of life.
Hugs Wyote.

 

[Skarekrow]

I feel incredibly sad for those killed and injured and their families. It’s frightening how frequent these events take place, and how casualties get larger and larger, as the gunmen and their weaponry become increasingly sophisticated.

I think the obvious thing to do is try and minimize the damage with stricter gun laws. Yet, the gun-loving conservatives keep fighting against gun control and there is no working with them. I mean, I’m flabbergasted that so many on the right are willing to pander to the callous and cruel assertions of Alex Jones, who said the shootings at Sandy Hook was a hoax.

That Alex Jones is invited to the White House is just a sign of how widely accepted it is now for the right to say whatever is convenient for them, and believe it as truth, in hopes that it becomes so. The cycle of denial and blaming the others, while avoiding their responsibility, is the name of the game now. I will wait and see while this administration and the Republican Congress do nothing.

I can’t believe that anyone believes Alex Jones...he’s made some incredibly insane accusations over the years.
And yes, it is disgusting that he has ANY influence over the WH or those making huge governmental decisions.
This Congress will go down in history as the most worthless bunch of jackasses ever.

 

[Skarekrow]

I can't disagree. I own fire arms, but do not nor would I own a semi auto, or an auto. For what I use them for, I do not need more than one shot at a time strategically aimed. I used to kid with fellow huntsmen and clay target assisins that semis and autos are for people that can't hit what their aiming at. Since the upsurge of mass-shootings, I don't kid about gun talk. I don't talk about it at all unless someone asks. The stigma attached now because of misuse makes shooting and marksmanship a taboo hobby.

Gun count now is 17. If they were all semis/autos, holding about a 30 round clip each, that's roughly 510 rounds. He'd had to guage wind volocity, hieght, and distance...if he shot into the pavement the ricochet effect would explain the hits.

It is a sad, sad day (time) for sure. My heart and head hurts at the loss of life.
Hugs Wyote.

I agree.
This guy had fully auto machine guns on tripods, with scopes...he was using armor piercing bullets for most of the time, again, not created for anything but killing another person (one wearing body armor).
I have shot guns many times over my lifetime thus far...even some fully auto like what was used while in the USCG.
I also know you can find instructions on what parts to file down, etc. to make a semi-auto fully auto.
We need to reign in the Gun Shows with no real background check.
BTW - This is supposed to be a “well regulated militia”...I would not call the state of gun ownership in the US “well regulated” one fraction.
I understand people don’t want their names listed as gun owners on some “list”, but I think we have demonstrated fairly well that we don’t know how to play by the rules, not that there are many rules - especially in Nevada.

Anyhow, much love.

 

[Skarekrow]

We need to look to other countries and see what’s working elsewhere. I personally think Australia’s approach to firearms is pretty reasonable.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Australia

People would shit a brick if we tried to implement that all at once.
I do agree with their approach also.

 

[Skarekrow]

I don't understand why if people are so fucked off with life, they can't just kill themselves... I mean just bow out. No need to destroy so many other lives aswell. People who are a danger to themselves can easily become a danger to others- times are increasingly unstable. Guns are just too much of a risk.

I don’t understand that either.
Perhaps he had a break with reality?
Charles Whitman is a perfect example of that - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Whitman
He had a brain tumor that most likely caused him to act in the psychopathic way he did.
This may be a similar act.

"Although Whitman had been prescribed drugs, and was in possession of Dexedrine at the time of his death, no toxicology test was performed at first because Whitman had been embalmed on August 1, after the body was brought to the Cook Funeral Home in Austin. However, an autopsy had been requested in the suicide notes left by Whitman, and was then approved by his father.[53]

On August 2, an autopsy was conducted by Dr. Chenar (a neuropathologist at Austin State Hospital) at the funeral home. Urine and blood were removed to test for traces of amphetamines or other substances.[54] During the autopsy, Chenar discovered a "pecan-sized" brain tumor, which he labeled an astrocytoma and which exhibited a small amount of necrosis. Chenar concluded that the tumor had no effect on Whitman's actions, but this result was later revised by the Connally Commission (see below).[55]"

 

[Skarekrow]

Bravo to all the Police, Fire, Medics...and all off-duty personal.