We Stand With Orlando

I know, it’s been a little while since this happened. I don’t think that makes this post any less necessary though, and I still think it’s important I make the time to write it. 

If you don’t know, last weekend there was a massacre in Orlando by a Muslim shooter. Oh, and it was Latino night at a gay bar. This is how I heard about it through the news; apparently his race is more important than the fact that gay Latino’s were being specifically targeted. But a media discussion is not what I’m here for right now. No, I want to talk about something more important. I want to know how the hell a man managed to get such a dangerous weapon into a bar. 

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that the constitution tells you you have the right to bear arms. And I absolutely think that’s important, if that’s what matters to you. What I don’t understand is why it needs to be a military weapon that’s designed to kill people. Not designed for self defense or hunting. The only thing this weapon is good for is for killing large groups of people, just like what happened in Orlando. I learned that senators have voted that people on the terrorist watch list are allowed these weapons too. Are we seeing a problem yet? For some reason everyone is giving the blame to this Muslim for being a terrorist, and working out how Muslims can be banned from living in America, when in reality it’s the ridiculous gun laws that really need to be stopped. It’s disgusting that this is even a discussion we need to be having right now. 

According to this gun violence site, which I think has only given me part of the stats, since the mass shooting in Orlando there have been 5 other shootings, with 22 shot and 1 dead. Actually, sorry, re-reading that I’m realising this only goes up to the 14th. So that’s 22 shot in 2 days. Still not convinced America has a gun problem? Well, the site is up to the 182nd mass shooting listed (although I’m not sure how huge it needs to be to be considered ‘mass’), and that’s just this year. We’re up to JUNE, and this is how many shootings there have been. The day before Orlando 5 were killed, and it wasn’t even mentioned over here. Not important enough, obviously. June so far has the most dead, but February and April have 50 each dead. June has 75, and let’s just keep in mind that 50 died in one shooting. You’re seeing a problem now, right? And this is just the homocide; you’re also enabling suicide, with this site telling me that “21,175 people committed suicide by firearm, while 11,208 people died in gun homicides”. Again, a conversation for another day. 

“Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Well, how about let’s not make it easier for them. Or, hell, how about we educate people to not be homophobic, or racist, or sexist, or full of so much hate that they think killing anyone is okay? How about America starts sending out a message that hey, murder ISN’T okay, instead of just crossing their fingers that everyone knows? Open your eyes, America, obviously you’re doing something wrong. 

Videos and links I’ve found helpful;

Hannah Hart and her heartbreaking video

Tyler Oakley and his video, and some of the links he posted;

“An Easy Guide To Contacting Your Elected Representatives About Gun Control”
Find out where your Senator stands & demand action
Tweet Your Congressperson

If you find anything else that might be helpful, especially for those of us who are international and wanting to help, please let me know!