Shooting in Las Vegas

[topaz]

If you watch our movies and play our video games, yes, it is pretty clear that we are a culture that accepts violence.

This is the main issue for me. Just about every culture has violence. I myself play videos, some of them are violent. I've watched violent cartoons, tv shows and movies my whole life. Yet, I've never assaulted anyone, I don't own a gun, I've never hunted(yet I do not have issues w/guns used for hunting meat) and I've never killed anyone.

There are other "X" factors in our country's acceptance of gun violence at this scale. Why do so many feel the need to own so many guns? Why is there such a romance or desire to revere guns in our culture. Why are military weapons consumed by the public? Why are military weapons available to the public?

 

[MacMadame]

Death toll is up to 58:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/58-dead-515-injured-las-vegas-shooting-suspect/story?id=50223240

The police have cleared his girlfriend (who may just be his roommate) and in the Philippines when it happened. His family says he's a well-off dude who plays $100 per hand video poker and moved to LV about a year ago:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/02/us/las-vegas-attack-stephen-paddock-trnd/index.html

Maybe I'm in the minority but I really wish people wouldn't wildly speculate on what his motive was. It comes off as salacious to me.

 

[puglover]

Although I have to admit it has been hard to start my day and not keep tuning in for more news as information - some probably correct and much speculative - is revealed. I do feel some concern that this amount of coverage feeds into the "disturbed" minds of others looking to make their mark in a similar way.

 

[Vash01]

The WaPo article I read said that his girl friend is missing and is out of the country. She is described as Asian, 4'11" tall, weighs 111 lbs. according to neighbors the couple lived together for many years in Florida and Nevada (since 2013).

They (I think FBI but not sure) interviewed his brother. The family and his neighbors in FL and NV were unaware of any strange behavior other than keeping to himself. He was a professional gambler who played high stakes video poker and liked Country Music (ironic).

I wonder if the girlfriend may be the key to solving the mystery? His state of mind, etc.? The family seems to know nothing.

 

[skatesindreams]

Apparently, he had ties to several homes; so, the authorities have considerable investigating ahead of them.

 

[Maofan7]

Tragic. Thoughts with the victims and their families and friends

It's the guns, stupid.

Absolutely right. There have been 52,715 gun related deaths in the USA since 2014 according to the BBC! It's time to completely ban gun ownership by the public (except where there is a legitimate reason, such as by farmers). I am tired of hearing the weasel words of those who cite the second amendment and the so called right to bear arms. Rubbish! The right to life of the victims of this carnage is far more important. The second amendment was drafted over 200 years ago in a completely different world, where people needed to be ready to take up arms for the defence of the realm. The second amendment says "a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of the free state". There is no such need now, and an armed public is completely inappropriate in the 21st century where any psycho can acquire all the guns and weaponry they want to satiate their blood lust over whatever grievances they may have. A psycho can do far less damage with a knife than with a gun.

How many more people have to die before these irresponsible politicians finally decide enough is enough and decide that the time has come to act in the public interest and ban guns, as opposed to acting in the interests of the National Rifle Association?

 

[Vash01]

This is the main issue for me. Just about every culture has violence. I myself play videos, some of them are violent. I've watched violent cartoons, tv shows and movies my whole life. Yet, I've never assaulted anyone, I don't own a gun, I've never hunted(yet I do not have issues w/guns used for hunting meat) and I've never killed anyone.

There are other "X" factors in our country's acceptance of gun violence at this scale. Why do so many feel the need to own so many guns? Why is there such a romance or desire to revere guns in our culture. Why are military weapons consumed by the public? Why are military weapons available to the public?

Those are good questions. Unfortunately not many are asking those, and/or they are neglected by the powers, like the NRA. There is a lot of brain washing that makes people forget the basic morality, like don't kill, don't steal, etc.

I don't watch violent tv shows and only occasionally watch movies that have violence (i avoid them if I can). However, if I were the type that enjoyed these things, I am still not likely to go out and shoot someone. There are some basic moral principles that most of were taught when we were kids. It takes tremendous amount of anger and hatred to kill someone. Even those who live in states like Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming don't use their guns to kill people. They know what the guns are for. People that go on killing rampages completely lose their sense of reality and morality. JMO. That us the time

The mass killings could be due to a combination of 1) lack of control over negative emotions, 2) easy access to weapons that belong only on battlefields, 3) something else. I don't know what that is.

Tragic. Thoughts with the victims and their families and friends



Absolutely right. There have been 52,715 gun related deaths in the USA since 2014 according to the BBC! It's time to completely ban gun ownership by the public (except where there is a legitimate reason, such as by farmers). I am tired of hearing the weasel words of those who cite the second amendment and the so called right to bear arms. Rubbish! The right to life of the victims of this carnage is far more important. The second amendment was drafted over 200 years ago in a completely different world, where people needed to be ready to take up arms for the defence of the realm. The second amendment says "a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of the free state". There is no such need now, and an armed public is completely inappropriate in the 21st century where any psycho can acquire all the guns and weaponry they want to satiate their blood lust over whatever grievances they may have. A psycho can do far less damage with a knife than with a gun.

How many more people have to die before these irresponsible politicians finally decide enough is enough and decide that the time has come to act in the public interest and ban guns, as opposed to acting in the interests of the National Rifle Association?

Sadly many people here don't use logic. It's all emotional and political. May be in the end nobody will be alive here.

 

[Susan1]

Trump just announced he is going there Wednesday, okay...

He waits two weeks to go to Puerto Rico. Two days to go to Vegas, where a bunch of white people got shot at and there's nothing he can do about any of it now.

It's going to come to a point where we will be scanned for weapons everywhere we go.

They keep talking about security. He wasn't even in the venue. Will they have to search people's bags every time they go in and out of their hotel rooms now, like they do on planes?

The WaPo article I read said that his girl friend is missing and is out of the country. She is described as Asian, 4'11" tall, weighs 111 lbs.

Those first reports said people saw her at the hotel with him. Probably the same people that wanted attention by saying there were shooters in other hotels and bombs. All of this instant "fake" news is infuriating. And interviewing witnesses. They didn't see him shooting. Why do they need everyone's (approximate 20,000) cell phone videos to piece this together? They know the who, what, when, where and how. People in Vegas can't tell them why.

They (I think FBI but not sure) interviewed his brother.

And every major news channel. I guess they were estranged, but he was rather flip. But then I've been waiting for someone to get irritated when a reporter asks them how they feel.

Until I am proved otherwise, I think she is mixed up in this mess.

Remember the wife of the Pulse Nightclub shooter was shocked and denied he had any terrorist affiliations and then finding out they both did?

 

[Susan1]

double post (after hitting FB)

The difference between good and evil -
http://verifiedpolitics.com/hillary-clinton-just-made-bold-statement-nra-tragedy-las-vegas/

http://verifiedpolitics.com/pro-tru...g-hoax-las-vegas-suspect-democratic-activist/

p.s. Tom Petty just died???????????????????

 

[misskarne]

The second amendment was drafted over 200 years ago in a completely different world, where people needed to be ready to take up arms for the defence of the realm.

I see this part glossed over so many times it's ridiculous. The Second Amendment was written just after the Revolutionary War - and what weapons did the Continental Army use in that war? Muskets. Muskets and cannons. Muskets and cannons that could fire only one shot at a time and took time to be reloaded. They used their bayonets often.

Those who wrote the second amendment had no idea that the sort of weapons we have now would be in existence by this time, and that their words, written with their weapons in mind, would be used to justify terrorism and the slaughter of innocents.

 

[twinsissv]

Oh my gosh. Is this really what that second 'amen' meant?

 

[TOADS]

His wife is an Australian citizen and is now being held by Australian authorities.

The shooter used his wife's entry cards to gain access to restricted areas within the hotel.

This information is just being reported in newscasts here in Boston.

If this is indeed true, she is in deep doo doo.

 

[icie]

The work of Antifa types? Shooting at a bunch of white country-music lovers.

You are a nasty person. F*ck you.

 

[4rkidz]

what I find so sad is that apparently all his 10 machine guns were bought legally, how sad is that? What purpose would anyone ever have for having that many machine guns? It also seems at this point no mental health issues - this was a planned out event with an obvious ending. This would not have occurred without such easy, legal access to guns. But I don't think anything will change - if the mass shooting of the children murdered didn't work - nothing will. NRA must be happy - apparently gun sales way up!

 

[skatesindreams]

. NRA must be happy - apparently gun sales way up!

And we have a "leader" who glories in their support!

 

[ilovepaydays]

What happened is too horrible for words - but I’m a bit shocked that something like this happened in Las Vegas. I keep wondering how did he get all those firearms into that hotel room and not get caught? I was always under the impression that everywhere in the Las Vegas Strip was under security and surveillance because of the amount of cash that the Nevada Gaming Commission requires casinos to keep on reserve.

 

[twinsissv]

And we have a "leader" who glories in their support!

Yeah... He's their 'leader' I'll just be their 'bleeder' I guess.

 

[skatesindreams]

They are investigating whether family "connections" gave him access.

 

[icie]

What happened is too horrible for words - but I’m a bit shocked that something like this happened in Las Vegas. I keep wondering how did he get all those firearms into that hotel room and not get caught? I was always under the impression that everywhere in the Las Vegas Strip was under security and surveillance because of the amount of cash that the Nevada Gaming Commission requires casinos to keep on reserve.

I'm wondering about that too.

 

[Vash01]

What happened is too horrible for words - but I’m a bit shocked that something like this happened in Las Vegas. I keep wondering how did he get all those firearms into that hotel room and not get caught? I was always under the impression that everywhere in the Las Vegas Strip was under security and surveillance because of the amount of cash that the Nevada Gaming Commission requires casinos to keep on reserve.

Inside job? Quite possible IMO. How did he know which room would be most effective for the shooting? Hiw did he get the exact room he wanted? I have been to Vegas many times and I never even considered asking for a specific room. Actually it could be a row of rooms on that side. I can imagine him asking for a high level room with a view, but even then it's hard to get that. He must have stayed on that side of the hotel in the past. These killings were planned way in advance it seems. It's not like he suddenly snapped and started shooting. Normally I feel pretty safe in Vegas. After this, I may never feel safe there, although mass shootings can happen anywhere.

 

[KCC]

I keep wondering how did he get all those firearms into that hotel room and not get caught? I was always under the impression that everywhere in the Las Vegas Strip was under security and surveillance because of the amount of cash that the Nevada Gaming Commission requires casinos to keep on reserve.

My DH says that most big guns can be disassembled and hidden in what looks like regular suitcases and things like guitar cases. They would not necessarily have been transported in obvious gun cases.

 

[Lizziebeth]

I too wish that gun control issues would be taken seriously. But in recent years there have been so many more handguns and weapons sold to the public. Even if they never sold another gun there are still too many. I fear it will be too late to make a difference at this point.

 

[Firedancer]

CNN is reporting he had 16 guns in his room, explosives in his car & 18 more guns & explosives at his home.

 

[missing]

I too wish that gun control issues would be taken seriously. But in recent years there have been so many more handguns and weapons sold to the public. Even if they never sold another gun there are still too many. I fear it will be too late to make a difference at this point.

It never hurts to make a start.

There have been major changes in American everyday life. Cigarette consumption, loss of tolerance for drunk driving, punitive measures for child and spousal abuse, and seat belt usage immediately come to mind.

I've thought for a while that anti-NRA activists should find common ground with anti-abortion activists. Now I'm thinking those anti-NRA activists should work with hospitality groups. Travel to America is down considerably this year. Mass shootings like this one in Las Vegas could have an negative effect on tourism (national and international) as well.

Figure out what's worked in the past. Approach the problem in different ways. Make alliances that you might not ordinarily think of. Change can happen.

 

[MINAM]

Heard the news this morning. Shooting from the 32nd floor? Reminds me of a shooting from the tower. Whitman? or someone like that.
Listening to the probable motive - been gambling and losing.....Just makes me really REALLY angry.
RIP to the victims and praying for those who are injured.

 

[TOADS]

Charles Whitman shot from the clock tower at U of Texas on August 1, 1966. I think he killed 13 or 14 people before being taken out.

 

[Prancer]

His wife is an Australian citizen and is now being held by Australian authorities.

The shooter used his wife's entry cards to gain access to restricted areas within the hotel.

This information is just being reported in newscasts here in Boston.

If this is indeed true, she is in deep doo doo.

I have access to my husband's security passes and could take them at any time when he isn't carrying them around. Doesn't make him culpable for anything I do with them.

What happened is too horrible for words - but I’m a bit shocked that something like this happened in Las Vegas. I keep wondering how did he get all those firearms into that hotel room and not get caught? I was always under the impression that everywhere in the Las Vegas Strip was under security and surveillance because of the amount of cash that the Nevada Gaming Commission requires casinos to keep on reserve.

I would guess that if he carried said guns in his hands, he would have been caught. Since he didn't want to be caught, I'm sure he carried them in bags. Unless the cameras can see inside bags, they aren't much help.

 

[Kruss]

My BIL was backstage when the attack occurred. He is a truck driver for one of the other artists who performed earlier last night. I'm incredibly thankful that he is safe, and so profoundly sad for all those who were injured and killed.

It is wonderful how so many people helped others, including my BIL. His son called him a hero for helping six people last night; my BIL said, "Not a hero son. Just doing what I can to help. This is who we are." I'm very proud of him, and of all of them.

My sister said that of all the things that a trucker's wife worries about while their husbands are out on the road, mass shootings is not one of them. She is, understandably, shaken by this.

I feel like I'm blabbing right now, but this has come too close to home for me. It's been a surreal, sad day.

 

[rfisher]

My BIL was backstage when the attack occurred. He is a truck driver for one of the other artists who performed earlier last night. I'm incredibly thankful that he is safe, and so profoundly sad for all those who were injured and killed.

It is wonderful how so many people helped others, including my BIL. His son called him a hero for helping six people last night; my BIL said, "Not a hero son. Just doing what I can to help. This is who we are." I'm very proud of him, and of all of them.

My sister said that of all the things that a trucker's wife worries about while their husbands are out on the road, mass shootings is not one of them. She is, understandably, shaken by this.

I feel like I'm blabbing right now, but this has come too close to home for me. It's been a surreal, sad day.

I'm glad your BIL is OK.

 

[Kruss]

Thank you.

Just got some more details from my niece, relaying info from my BIL. I can't even say everything, it's too fresh, too graphic and too awful, but he was one of the many who were helping get people into cars and trucks, trying to help the wounded get into vehicles, all with bullets whizzing over his head. He said they were not equipped to help those bleeding (no gauze or bandages or anything), and said that it's much, much, much worse in the daylight than last night. His artist had already left town before the shooting started, but my BIL is stuck there for now as everyone and everything is under lockdown.