Las Vegas Shooting: After gunman kills 50 at music festival, Twitterati urge for #GunControlNow

As soon as the news spread about the attacker's identity, the social media buzz around the Las Vegas shooting saw a revival of the debate around gun control measures in the country.

Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

A gunman opened fire at a crowd attending a music festival in Las Vegas, reportedly killing 50 people, on Sunday. The horrific incident is being deemed as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States. The carnage has also left over 200 injured — 14 of them critically wounded — in the rampage that happened at the popular three-day Route 91 Harvest festival. Las Vegas police said one suspect was shot down. The incident occurred on Sunday night when Jason Aldean, one of the final performers, was playing. Concert-goers said they saw muzzle flashes from the upper floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across Las Vegas Boulevard from the country music festival, and heard the sound of what they described as automatic gunfire.

During a news briefing, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said the assailant was a local resident and a “lone wolf” attacker. The 64-year-old attacker was identified by police as Stephen Paddock and was later killed during a standoff with officers on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, where the festival was being hosted.

As soon as the news spread that the police found many weapons in the attacker’s room, the social media buzz around the attack took a turn and it renewed the debate around gun control measures in the country. While US President tweeted about his “warmest condolences” to the families of the victims, people asked for a stronger law. Las Vegas and #GunControlNow started dominating US Twitter trends.

Gun lobby: Now’s not the time to discuss gun control.
– When then?
– When there’s not just been a shooting
– When’s that?
– Never.#LasVegas

— David Schneider (@davidschneider) October 2, 2017

i dont care if the weapon this terrorist used has been “banned.” if it was truly banned, access would be much, much harder. #GunControlNow

— dreamy girl (@localhousewife) October 2, 2017

Whether it’s deranged individuals committing mass shootings, kids accidentally shooting their friends or gangs in the ghetto #GunControlNow

— Kyle Johnson (@kjohnson284) October 2, 2017

#GunControlNow The gun deaths in this country are on the heads of the politicians that do nothing. Action, not prayer, now! Accountability!

— Marianne G. Petrino (@NineTiger) October 2, 2017

Honestly if you don’t believe in gun control GTFO of my timeline, how can you watch the videos from Las Vegas and not be horrified

— Yzzy Gonzalez (@yzzygonzalez) October 2, 2017

That shooter in Las Vegas fired hundreds of rounds but nah we don’t need gun control right?

— stupidt (@me0wissa) October 2, 2017

With all due respect, in addition to your “thoughts and prayers” for Las Vegas, demand/vote for strict gun control laws. Put an end to this.

— Common White Girl (@girlhoodposts) October 2, 2017

Damn u @nra 😡 Once & for all, this lawlessness will stop. Gun control, strict, for whole country. This Vegas shooting rt. now, last straw!!

— Michael Friedman (@mfriedman_63) October 2, 2017

my heart aches for those affected in las vegas 💔 we need #guncontrolnow

— cαrlie brock (@carliebrockoli) October 2, 2017

So how many mass shootings do we need in order to take gun control seriously?! #GunControlNow #PrayForLasVegas

— Caitie (@x0kaitie7) October 2, 2017

When 2nd Amendment was written. Doubt the founding fathers considered terrorists shooting hundreds of people in just minutes. #GunControlNow

— Kyle Leith (@KyleLeith) October 2, 2017

The history books should have ended with Pulse.
Blame our silent legislators.
We need #GunControlNow

Orlando stands with #LasVegas
😔🙏🏻

— madison. (@DearestMadison) October 2, 2017

All the trends right now have to deal with #guncontrol. We need #GunControlNow. #PrayforVegas pic.twitter.com/HNeapBL6fj

— Adam E Ross (@adammanross) October 2, 2017

My prayers are with the victims of the shooting in #LasVegas!Why is it easier to get a #gun than a drivers permit @SenateGOP? #GunControlNow

— Kerry O’Brien (@CoachKerryOB) October 2, 2017

Tell us how a wall or a travel ban would have prevented this? It’s time we talk sensible #GunControlNow #nra #domesticterrorism #SayIt

— stantampa (@stantampa) October 2, 2017

Don’t pray for Las Vegas, pray for better gun control. When is enough,enough? How many is too many? #vegasshooter #guncontrol

— donaldtrumpnewstoday (@irishrygirl) October 2, 2017

The shooting in Las Vegas is plain sadistic terrorism in Mandalay Bay and the potus needs to address gun control #prayforvegas https://t.co/Xk9EeytYs6

— rickandmorty (@rickandmorty101) October 2, 2017

America is tired of warm condolences. We want gun control!

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I had to kiss my babies off to school today and not knowing if they will be the next ones hunted down.

So,I don’t want anymore of your shitty tweets.

America is warn down & condolences don’t cut it anymore. https://t.co/9nswGHOSM1

— MommaT (@tweetmommybop) October 2, 2017

As the death toll reached 50, it became the most threatening mass shooting incident in modern USA. Earlier, when an ISIS supporter opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando in 2016, leaving 49 dead, it recorded the highest number of deaths in a mass shooting in a single day.

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