Pittsburgh Residents Mourning After Mass Shooting, Sound off on Gun Control

PITTSBURGH – A solemn but powerful presence was seen in Pittsburgh — as thousands crowded into Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. So many came that many more were pouring into the streets and huddled together in the rain for a candlelight vigil. The teary-eyed crowd spoke of resilience, healing, and gun control the day after a mass shooting claimed the lives of 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue.

The latter, gun control, is bringing forth mixed emotions for many who stood divided on President Trump’s recent statement: “If they had protection the results would have been far better.” It is a stance that he has echoed in past mass murders. 

While many attendees never imagined having to have the conversation of arming places of worship, residents in the city known for its friendly hellos and tight-knit communities stood together mourning the loss of their neighbors, and acknowledging yet another mass shooting. 


Ray Iwanonkiw Sr., a resident of a neighboring community agrees with Trump’s position: “We need protection,” he continued, explaining that while he doesn’t believe violence will solve violence, he just doesn’t see any sensible way to stop what he calls the “insensible.”