The country is still mourning over the devastation that took Las Vegas on Sunday night. What started out as a country music festival where friends and co-workers could spend an evening together bonding over the music they enjoy quickly turned deadly as a 64-year-old retiree opened fire on the crowd. So far, 59 people have been pronounced dead, yet over 500 more have sustained injuries. When SWAT teams stormed the nearby hotel-casino where Stephen Paddock carried out this massacre from his window on the 32nd-floor suite, they determined that he had taken his own life.

During the investigation of what is now the largest mass shooting in modern American history, many politicians and citizens are speaking out on what should be done to prevent this from happening again. So far, Democrats and Republicans have been very divided in their responses to this tragedy, with advocates of the Democratic party arguing for tighter gun control, and Republicans focusing more on grieving, rather than any policy proposals in dealing with the situation. Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate for the Democratic party in the 2016 election tweeted on Monday morning "Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA and work together to try and stop this from happening again". President Donald Trump has claimed that his party will be looking into gun laws at a later time.

Regardless, the country is facing yet another devastating act on one of our cities, and yet citizens and politicians alike are dividing themselves on the issue of gun laws. While this event does call for an analysis of current policy on guns, with some arguing "if not now, then when?", what we must also focus on is coming together as a nation to mourn and learn from this tragedy. Much like in the wake of the September 11th attacks in 2001, the people of this nation must come together as one, regardless of political background, to find a way to move forward and prevent this from ever happening again.

The victims of this horrendous attack were mothers, fathers, police officers, ex-military, co-workers, spouses, young old, male, and female. This loss of life is not an excuse to fight and be divided. What we must take from all of this is an inclination to love one another, and to come together as one people, united against fear. Discussions on policy are most certainly on the table, but nothing will be achieved if we as a body of people are not willing to compromise and work together. Do not be divided in the face of tragedy, choose love over hate.

Remember those who lost their lives in the events devastating Las Vegas over the weekend. Remember their families. Remember the first responders and doctors who have dedicated their lives to saving others. Remember those not personally affected by the tragedy, but who are still grieving in response. And remember that "hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that".