From a Heartbroken Mom, Maria Evans
Dear parents of the 58,
I awoke to the devastating news of the mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival, where lives were lost and countless others forever altered. A chill ran through me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. I understood the harrowing journey that lay ahead for many of you, as your worlds crumbled.
Just 492 days earlier, I found myself in a similar nightmare after a shooting at a nightclub in Orlando. That day, I learned that my cherished 31-year-old son, Oliver Evans, was among the 49 who lost their lives. The pain of never hearing his laughter, feeling his embrace, or sharing our unique bond again is a wound that will never heal. His life was taken by someone consumed with hatred, who had unfettered access to a firearm.
People often approach me saying, “I can’t even fathom…” and they will say the same to you. I know they can’t, but I wish they could truly grasp the depth of the grief we endure every single day. If only everyone could comprehend the agony of losing a child to gun violence, we would have already made the necessary changes to protect our communities.
As I mourn for those of you just beginning this unbearable journey—the injured who must fight to reclaim their lives, the traumatized burdened by haunting memories, and all of you left behind in a barren landscape of sorrow—I cannot help but wonder, how much longer must we endure this suffering? How many more lives must be sacrificed before we find the courage to enact change?
Are we prepared to accept that the threat of gun violence is now a part of everyday life in the United States? This is not the norm, and it doesn’t have to be!
Our country has a gun homicide rate that is 25 times higher than that of other developed nations. This is a uniquely American tragedy. While the shooting in Las Vegas is horrific, it is compounded by the daily occurrences of gun violence that we seem to be growing desensitized to. The phrase, “yet another mass shooting” should not be part of our vocabulary, but it is. Thoughts and prayers fall short of honoring the lives we’ve lost and those we continue to lose unless we demand an end to gun violence.
Some leaders argue that now is the time for mourning, not policy discussions. I argue that we’ve been mourning for far too long—since Columbine, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, and most painfully, Orlando. Now, I mourn alongside you, the families of those who were taken too soon in Las Vegas. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Each life lost is a precious soul, and one is simply too many!
This is our moment of reckoning. For years, the gun lobby has promoted a “guns everywhere” agenda, pushing legislation like the SHARE Act, which threatens to weaken laws governing the purchase of silencers. Imagine the chaos had concertgoers not heard the gunfire. The toll could have been unimaginable.
Moreover, the gun lobby continues to advocate for “concealed carry reciprocity”—a dangerous law that undermines state gun regulations. This does not establish a national standard for who can carry a concealed weapon; instead, it forces states to accept the concealed carry laws of others, even those with minimal or no requirements.
Yet, many of our leaders prioritize the interests of gun manufacturers over our safety, bowing to pressure from the gun lobby. It is time to demand that they prioritize the safety of our communities and loved ones. To those grieving for the 58, I stand with you in solidarity. I understand your pain and heartbreak. Please know that millions of us across the nation support you, determined to honor the lives of your lost loved ones.
If you want to join the fight against gun violence and reject the dangerous agenda of the gun lobby, consider reaching out to organizations dedicated to this cause. To learn more about pregnancy and home insemination, you can also explore this excellent resource on treating infertility.
In a world where we face such tragedy, it’s vital that we unite and call for action. It’s time for courage and conviction from our elected officials.
Summary
The heartfelt message from a grieving mother to the parents of the Las Vegas shooting victims highlights the shared pain of losing a child to gun violence. It emphasizes the urgent need for policy changes to prevent further tragedies and unites those affected in a call for action against gun violence.