#TexasShooting: Latest US mass shooting reignites debate online

A shooting in a rural Texas church Sunday left 26 dead, and reignited debates around gun control in the US.

Among the dead were several children, including the pastor’s 14-year-old daughter. A woman in her eighth month of pregnancy was also killed.

According to The New York Times, the gunman has been revealed as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, who had served in the US Air Force before being dishonorably discharged after assaulting his wife and child.

Kelley was later found dead in his vehicle. Officials are as yet unsure of how he died.

This shooting comes a little over a month after the US’s worst mass shooting in modern history that saw 58 dead and over 500 wounded in Las Vegas.

As has become protocol after US mass shootings, many have taken to Twitter to demand stricter gun control, while others claim that laws would not protect civilians.

I don’t know how these poor people are supposed to accept that their government watches these mass shootings and does nothing. It’s so sick.

— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) November 6, 2017

I WANT SERIOUS, NO FU%*ING AROUND GUN CONTROL NOW. NOW. NOW. NOW. NOW. #enough #guncontrol #texasshooting #now

— emma caulfield (@emmacaulfield) November 6, 2017

If Texas shooter was willing to break the law against murdering people, what makes anyone think they would obey a gun law? #TexasShooting

— Foxy 🦃🍷🏈 (@FoxyConservativ) November 6, 2017

“Waiting for Trump to declare a change in policy like he did after NYC attack,” wrote one user, referring to US President Donald Trump’s tweets calling for a change to a visa lottery that allowed the suspected perpetrator to enter the country.

Waiting for trump to declare a change in policy like he did after NYC attack. #texasshooting

— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@Deanofcomedy) November 5, 2017

Instead, the president posted about how he was “monitoring the situation from Japan”.

May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2017

Hours later, Trump posted a video in which he called the shooting an “act of evil”.

“My administration will provide full support to the great state of Texas and all local authorities investigating this awful crime,” he said. “All of America is praying to God to help the wounded and the families of the victims.”

He offered no policy solution, be it gun control or otherwise.

…Americans do what we do best: we pull together. We join hands. We lock arms and through the tears and the sadness, we stand strong… pic.twitter.com/qkCPgtKGkA

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2017

The issue has proven of interest to South Africans, with both “Texas” and #TexasShooting trending nationwide Monday morning.

#texasshooting At least we have Jocab Zuma who is just killing our pockets ,but In America things are worse than ever:Home terrorism . pic.twitter.com/yoAJILhRVt

— Takalani shakudyiwa (@takalanishaku) November 6, 2017

Dear Trump, nobody disputes the white terrorist was mentally disturbed. The problem is easy access to guns that kill. #texasshooting

— Mariette dT-Helmbold (@MariettedTH) November 6, 2017

Interesting how they try to sugarcoat this because its a white man,trying to come up with psychological terms #TexasShooting

— Xolile Ecks Vesile (@EcksMavesta) November 6, 2017

How are those “Thoughts & Prayers” working out for you America?

…ready for gun-control and simple logic yet?#texasshooting

— Luke Tyler (@ThatLukeTyler) November 6, 2017

Featured image: Matt Turner via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)