Las Vegas massacre and gun ban

BAÑOC

The latest massacre in Las Vegas that killed 59 and injured more than 500 people has been described as the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.

The gunman is identified as Stephen Paddock, a senior citizen who brought with him more than 30 guns when he checked in Mandalay Bay, a hotel casino next to the concert venue. He stayed in the 32nd floor, overlooking the people who watched the concert of an American best-selling country singer, Jason Aldean.

A Filipino-American is reportedly one of those wounded in the attack. At first, people thought it was just a part of the concert’s production. A number thought that it was just a fireworks display, and some thought that it was just little technical glitches.

When they saw that there were people who fell down and some were already wounded, everyone was in panic mode of running away from the venue.

The gunman committed suicide thereafter. His background was checked and revealed that he had a Filipina girlfriend. It was also found out that the gunman is a millionaire and a citizen of Nevada.

There are many angles that the authorities should look into. The two important angles and motives are first, was it a terror attack? And second, did the gunman have psychological problems?

Authorities initially ruled out that it was not a terrorist attacked as the gunman was not connected with a terrorist group. There are questions that need to be sincerely answered such as why he possessed many guns. Why was he allowed to check in the hotel with plenty of guns in his possession?

Was he not detected by the hotel guards? Is it not a fact that security of the said hotel, being a five star, is very strict? Are there people in connivance with him? Have they checked the CCTV footages?

I just hope that the authorities are telling the truth and are not making cover-ups to hide from a great insult that terrorists have already entered into the supposedly most secured territory in the world, the USA.

Granting that terrorism is out of the picture, investigators have to focus on the psychological aspect of the gunman. If something was wrong with his mind, then authorities must think of stricter rules for their citizens who are qualified to possess guns.

Is there a possibility that the same incident would happen here in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu? There are mixed reactions on the questions. I hope that our very own authorities will get some lessons of the incident.

Everyone must unite to counter terrorism. As to psychological issues, this could be addressed if every citizen who wants to own and possess guns would undergo the strict process of getting a license under RA 10591 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013. Such law substantially provides that one must produce the necessary documents, undergo drug tests and take the neurological examination to determine whether he is fit to carry a gun.

Last Sunday, when the gun ban was implemented following the technicalities of the law on election period, there were four people caught possessing unlicensed guns. They were arrested in a checkpoint conducted in line with the Comelec gun ban. Note that even if there is no gun ban, they are worth to be arrested as they don’t have any permits to carry guns.

Now that the President has finally signed the law postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay election, it follows that the gun ban will be lifted. I just hope that our authorities will continue to strictly monitor and if necessary, continue to conduct checkpoints to ensure a peaceful society.

The PNP should keep in mind that most of good citizens don’t have guns or if some have, they follow the proper process of getting the licenses. On the contrary, criminals bring guns easily without thinking of licenses.