June 15th 2024.
The survivors of the tragic 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, as well as the families who received devastating phone calls in the following hours, were shocked by the recent decision of the US Supreme Court to strike down a ban on bump stocks. These rapid-fire accessories, which allow for a rate of fire similar to that of machine guns, were used by the gunman to unleash over 1000 bullets in just 11 minutes. The ban, which was put in place during the Trump administration, was overturned in a six to three majority opinion. Justice Clarence Thomas, the author of the opinion, argued that the Justice Department was wrong in classifying bump stocks as illegal machine guns because they do not fundamentally change the mechanics of firing.
It's important to note that this ruling was not directly about the Second Amendment, and Justice Samuel Alito, while concurring with Thomas, emphasized in a separate opinion that Congress has the power to change the law. However, for those who have been personally affected by the mass shooting, the decision is still deeply concerning. Craig Link, whose brother Victor was tragically killed in the attack, expressed his frustration with the availability of automatic weapons in our society. He described his brother as his twin, and fondly remembered that everyone seemed to like him. Reflecting on the fact that he was supposed to attend the concert with his brother, Craig couldn't help but think about the what-ifs and the possibility that it could have been him instead.
The shooting, which took place at an outdoor country music festival, left 58 people dead and more than 850 injured out of a crowd of 22,000. Among the survivors was Shawna Bartlett, who was in the front row when the bullets began raining down. She recalled the chaos and terror of the moment, as well as the harrowing experience of helping her friend who had been shot in the back. While she recognizes the right to bear arms, she questions the need for bump stocks to be legal. She pointed out that they are not used for hunting or by law enforcement, and wonders why such a dangerous accessory should be available to the public.
For many of the survivors, the trauma of that night has been a difficult burden to carry. Shawna, however, shared that she has made significant progress in her healing process in recent years, and is now able to talk about the experience without breaking down in tears. Danette Meyers, who has become a spokesperson for the family of Christiana Duarte, another victim of the shooting, expressed her concerns about the potential for future mass shootings due to the availability of bump stocks. She worries that even if Congress acts to change the law, it may not be enough to prevent someone from obtaining one and carrying out another horrific act of violence.
While the decision to overturn the ban on bump stocks has sparked a range of emotions and opinions, the survivors and families of the victims continue to grapple with the aftermath of that tragic night. For some, the wounds may never fully heal, but they remain determined to advocate for change and prevent future tragedies from occurring.
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