Fifty nine people (so far) have been confirmed dead in last night's massacre on the Vegas Strip. They were slaughtered by a white man shooting multiple high-power weapons from his hotel window. Hundreds more lie injured in hospitals.
Cue the "gun debate."
Gun enthusiasts will doubtless ask us to "reserve judgement" and "wait until all the facts are in."
The facts are in and have been for a long time. Our country's obsession with easy access to heavy weaponry is killing us. Gun ownership needs to be regulated and licensed. Period. High-capacity magazines need to be banned. Period.
The usual litany of praying for those injured while praising the bravery of first responders is playing out on TV screens across the country. The talk of "coming together after a tragedy" is unavoidable. Congress has already held its obligatory "moment of silence" while being careful to not offend the gun lobby.
Meanwhile the security expert talking heads discuss how to better "harden soft targets." No. We need to harden access to weapons.
TV news cameras proudly pan the seemingly endless line of people waiting hours in the hot Nevada sun to donate blood, while local businesses contribute food and beverages to sustain those donors. Numerous candlelight vigils and prayerful gatherings are planned for the coming days and nights.
I am tired of the waiting.
I am sick of the dying.
Talk, blood, food, and candles are not the answer. They are just temporary salve.
We don't need salve. We need rage.
We don't need moments of silence. We need loud.
If this grotesque year in politics has taught us anything, it is that each of our voices matter, if raised long enough, loudly enough. We need to use those voices now, not to repeat past cliches, not to indulge in resigned fatalism, but to insist our state and federal representatives take action on reasonable gun control.
Demand change. Demand it now. Keep on demanding.
