Battle Born Progress Calls for Action Ahead of Route 91 Harvest Festival Mass Shooting Anniversary

LAS VEGAS, NV - Tomorrow is the eighth anniversary of the Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting. It is still the deadliest shooting in American history. In total, 61 people succumbed to injuries sustained during the shooting, and over 800 other people were injured during the mass shooting. So far this year, over 300 mass shootings have occurred, highlighting the need to address gun violence on a widespread scale in America. 

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“Eight years have passed since Nevadans woke up to the news that the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history happened in Las Vegas at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. The visceral images from cell phones and security cameras captured that night have been seared into the community fabric of Las Vegas. Since then, efforts have been made in the state legislature to help curb the scourge of gun violence. Many of these efforts have been spearheaded by a Route 91 survivor and legislator, Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui. She has used her experience to advocate for Nevadans, ensuring they do not have to face the horror she experienced.

This session, Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui and Senator Julie Pazina introduced three gun violence prevention bills (AB 105, AB 245, and SB 89, respectively) that all passed the legislature only to be vetoed by Governor Joe Lombardo. Yes, the former Sheriff of Clark County, the one on duty the night of that terrible massacre, continues to find a way to allow gun violence in this state to proliferate. Despite having walked among the bodies on the ground that October morning eight years ago, Joe Lombardo continues to whistle past the graveyard while failing to deliver justice to the survivors and degrade safety for Nevadans.

Tomorrow is a day that shouldn’t just be an anniversary. It should be a reminder of the actions needed to stem gun violence, and so far Joe Lombardo has failed to live up to this standard.”

ABOUT THE ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL MASS SHOOTING: On October 1st, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire on concertgoers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over 61 people eventually died, and hundreds of other people were injured. Following the mass shooting, Assemblywoman Jauregui, a survivor and legislator, pushed for several gun violence prevention policies, including background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and banning ghost guns.

SPOKESPEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

###

About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.