Mum Demands Gun Control After Son Dies In Thousand Oaks Shooting After Surviving Las Vegas Attack

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A mother has demanded gun control after her son died in the Thousand Oaks shooting. 

The mass shooting took place at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, on Wednesday evening local time (November 7), where the gunman, 28-year-old Ian Long, killed 12 people before apparently killing himself.

The US Marines veteran used a legally-owned .45-calibre Glock semi-automatic handgun which had an extended magazine that is illegal in the state of California, allowing the firearm to carry more than its typical 11-bullet capacity, BBC News report.

One survivor of the shooting told CBS News he and his friends were in attendance at the Route 91 Harvest country music concert in Las Vegas last year, which famously turned into the deadliest mass shooting in US history after 59 people lost their lives to the hands of a gunman.

The survivor said:

It’s the second time in about a year and a month that this has happened.

We’re all a big family and unfortunately this family got hit twice.

However not everyone was able to cheat death twice, and among the victims of Wednesday’s shooting was Telemachus Orfanos, who also survived the Las Vegas shooting.

Telemachus’ mother expressed her wishes for gun control in an emotional interview with ABC7:

The mother explained:

My son was in Las Vegas with a lot of his friends and he came home. He didn’t come home last night.

I don’t want prayers, I don’t want thoughts, I want gun control and I hope to God nobody sends me any more prayers.

I want gun control. No more guns.

Telemachus Orfanos/Facebook

She emphasised her point to Buzzfeed News, saying:

I have two words: gun control. Now, now, now, now. No more NRA. No more money. Gun control now.

President Donald Trump tweeted his acknowledgement of the attack and thanked law enforcements for their quick response, but made no comment about gun laws.

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He wrote:

I have been fully briefed on the terrible shooting in California. Law Enforcement and First Responders, together with the FBI, are on scene. 13 people, at this time, have been reported dead. Likewise, the shooter is dead, along with the first police officer to enter the bar.

Great bravery shown by police. California Highway Patrol was on scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff’s Sergeant died in the hospital. God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.

According to ABC, the USA has had over 300 mass shootings in 2018 alone. In 2017, there was a total of 346 mass shootings.

Teylor Whittler, who survived the Thousand Oaks shooting, described the chaotic scenes when the gunman started firing shots in the bar to Good Morning America. 

She recalled:

Everyone just yelled, ‘Run, he’s coming!’

There were at least 50 people that all tried getting up at once and running out the back door. I ended up getting caught in the ground and stumbled over by multiple people.

I got hit in the head by a stool that was being picked up to throw through a window, until some guy came up behind me and grabbed me and said, ‘Get up, we have to go!’

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic events.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.

Emily Brown

Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.