After deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, refuses to discuss gun control: 'We're not going to talk about that today'
After Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured hundreds at a Las Vegas country music festival using semi-automatic rifles with bump stocks, Trump called it 'an act of pure evil' but refused to discuss gun policy. When asked if the U.S. has a 'gun violence problem,' Trump dismissed the question saying 'We're not going to talk about that today.' He called Paddock a 'sick' and 'demented man' and said 'we'll be talking about gun laws as time goes by.' The shooting was the deadliest in modern American history. Trump wouldn't address gun control until the Parkland shooting five months later, and even then only to ban bump stocks over a year after Las Vegas. His refusal to engage showed the power of NRA influence and Republican unwillingness to address gun violence.
“We're not going to talk about that today.” — Response to question about gun violence problem during Las Vegas visit, October 4, 2017 Quote verified against source
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryTrump's refusal to discuss gun policy after the deadliest mass shooting in modern history demonstrated his prioritization of NRA support over public safety.
The 'we're not going to talk about that today' response became emblematic of Republican inaction on gun violence after mass shootings.
Paddock used bump stocks to fire continuously, killing 58 people - yet Trump didn't ban these devices until December 2018, 14 months later and only after Parkland.
Trump's focus on the shooter's mental state rather than weapon access followed the NRA playbook of deflecting from gun regulation to individual pathology.
The contrast between Trump's immediate, detailed policy proposals after terrorist attacks by immigrants versus total inaction after domestic gun violence revealed his selective approach to public safety.