A week has passed since the devastating shooting at Pulse, a LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida. While confusion and disbelief as to how yet another mass shooting could have unfolded still runs among the minds of many, more about the situation has been clarified and revealed. Within the two days following the massacre in Orlando, there were six more mass shootings, where a “mass shooting” is defined as violence in which four or more people were shot. Despite the frequency of these mass shootings, the media often only focuses on what might better be called “mass murders”. However, any act of violence should be taken into account, as all acts of violence are just as heartbreaking and unacceptable as those where there is a greater loss of life.

Because of the severity of the situation, the media has covered the Orlando shooting extensively. Countless articles have been written and shared, and opposing viewpoints have sparked arguments, outrage and defeat. I do not claim to know every detail about the shooting. I may miss a few facets of the event that I should mention, but what I have taken from each news piece I've read, in every discussion of the incident there has been a tone of remorse and a call for action; that is what I hope to instill in your mind.

Yes, there have been an abounding number of articles, videos and debates about the tragedy in Orlando. But as per the tradition of the time after a mass shooting, talk will inevitably settle and the rage and sadness about the incident will gradually fade. The pain will always remain, but the drive to make a change will subside as each day passes. After the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where innocent children were targeted, President Obama said,

"All of us need to demand governors and legislators and businesses do their part to make communities safer. We need the wide majority of gun owners to grieve with us every time this happens … and demand something better."

But since that shooting in 2012, the number of mass shootings has only continued to increase, leading to the deadliest shooting in US history in Orlando this past week. Now is the time to demand something better to prevent this discussion from taking place again.

One thing that resonated with me was the stark contrast in gun possession in the US compared to other nations, and how this correlates with gun violence. Americans possess over 40 percent of the world's civilian issued guns. And despite the recurring instances of gun violence almost every day, there is still backlash against tighter gun control.

The difference in gun control in the US and in other countries is summarized in Australian comedian Jim Jefferies' video, Guns Are Not Protection.

Though some may criticize that he exaggerates and pokes fun at a delicate topic, he asserts his opinion, and his jests do have merit. In his monologue, Jefferies says,

In Australia, we had the biggest massacre on Earth, and the Australian government went, "That's it! NO MORE GUNS." And we all went, "Yeah, all right then, that seems fair enough, really."

He is referring to the 1996 massacre in Tasmania where 35 people were killed and an additional 23 were wounded. Following this incident, strict gun control laws were reformed, passed, and approved. Twenty years later, in 2016, there has not been another event of mass shooting in Australia. Jefferies considers how America has dealt with the problem differently, saying,

Now in America, you had the Sandy Hook massacre, where little tiny children died. And your government went, "Maybe ... we'll get rid of the big guns?" And 50 percent of you went, "FUCK YOU, DON'T TAKE MY GUNS."

Jefferies certainly uses harsh language and jarring comedy to convey his ideas, but he spoke on a topic that needed to be addressed. Gun violence and mass shootings may be sensitive topics, but Jim Jefferies has shown that this kind of bold language is the first step to change.

Sometimes I feel that my opinions and my voice don’t have a true impact on the situation across the country, but being engaged has allowed me to build my own opinions. Distancing yourself from the situation is not okay; even if the LGBT community in Orlando does not directly relate to you, you must remember that any group of people could have been targeted. This massacre was a hate crime that cannot be tolerated, and doing nothing is an act in itself. Get involved with the situation: for example, find out if your representative has accepted money from the NRA (National Rifle Association) and look into whether or not these funds have coerced your politician to remain silent in the debate on gun control. If you have a problem with how you’re being represented, speak out about what matters to you.

I understand that there are so many other articles that are more timely and more comprehensive of the entire subject, but this is my way of taking action. Even though the event may no longer be “breaking news” by the time this is published, and it’s unavoidable that other situations will arise and take the spotlight of media attention, this crime in Orlando must not be forgotten.

Sources for you:
http://whoismyvoice.com/ (find out about NRA funding for your representative and what that may mean in terms of gun control)
http://everytown.org/senatevotes/?source=etno_ETA... (how your senator voted in December 2015 for background checks for gun possession)
http://massshootingtracker.org/data/2016 (updated list of mass shootings in the US that may not have reached your ears through the media)