This past weekend, mass shootings in both Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas left at least 30 dead and more than 50 injured, prompting another national debate on gun control and violence. On a weekend when hundreds of thousands of people should have been celebrating at HARD Summer in Southern California or Lollapalooza in Chicago, the country was in a deep state of mourning, grief, and also anger.
EDM’s biggest DJs sounded off over the weekend in response to both shootings, which were barely 13 hours apart. The El Paso shooter has been arrested and charged with capital murder; the Dayton shooter was reportedly killed by police about 30 seconds after he fired his first shot.
For a more complete recap on both shootings, see here. Read responses from DJs below.
I know everyone is having a blast at all the festivals this weekend, so sorry to be a buzzkill
But there were 2
TWO
MASS SHOOTINGS
IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES
IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.
Is this the new normal???? We’re all okay living in this reality?? Because I’m NOT
— JAUZ (@Jauzofficial) August 4, 2019
You know what? We might as well let them ban “gruesome and grizzly” video games for a year, even 6 months, and let them see for themselves that absolutely nothing related to mass shootings changes. Maybe then they’ll have to address ANY of the real issues we face
— JAUZ (@Jauzofficial) August 5, 2019
Here’s a troubling statistic: You’re more likely to be shot to death in the United States than you are to die in a car accident in Canada. It’s time to ban guns. It was time long ago. Such a sad day, so many innocent people losing their lives to gun violence.
— BTSM not BDSM (@OfficialBTSM) August 4, 2019
I just don’t understand how the world is just moving on from these two shootings like it’s a normal Monday
— ROZES (@ROZESsounds) August 5, 2019
At a minimum, for every single one of these shootings, there should be massive interrogations of all online associates and social accounts
— paul (@salva) August 4, 2019
Mass shootings are happening on such a frequent basis here in the US #EnoughIsEnough it’s simple guys #GunControl #gunreformnow Australia did it a couple decades ago and it has decreased shootings by an astronomical percentage by implementing #GunControl
— VASSY (@VASSY) August 4, 2019
Rest In Peace to all the American and Mexican citizens who’s lives were taken this last week in El Paso, TX Gilroy, CA and Dayton, OH.
— Harvard Bass (@HarvardBass) August 5, 2019
Sending my prayers for everyone in El Paso ❤️❤️🙏🙏
— DIRTY AUDIO 🔊 (@dirtyaudio) August 5, 2019
my son texting me "don't go to any stores ok?" when the el paso shootings were happening broke my fucking heart. like wtf man. wtf is wrong people.
— riot ten (@RiotTenMusic) August 4, 2019
EL PASO….. WE LOVE YOU…. ALL THE WAY IN GREECE 🇬🇷 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1oPF5UXCZz
— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) August 4, 2019
I don’t even know what to say anymore. I’m heartbroken for the #ElPaso & #Dayton victims and their loved ones, and I’m enraged that this continues to happen. Love & life should be valued more than hate & violence.
— Darude (@Darudevil) August 4, 2019
Heartbroken to hear about #ElPaso today. Praying for all those involved and all the families dealing with loss. No words💔
— ℍ𝔸𝕃𝕀𝔼ℕ𝔼 (@HALIENE) August 4, 2019
Not only does my heart hurt for El Paso, I am angry that the leadership of this country stands by idly and watches these things happen. The best we get is “thoughts and prayers” which are useless on any day of the week. Especially today
— Dave Dresden (@davedresden) August 4, 2019
Apparently there was just another one in Dayton, Ohio an hour ago. Probably a white dude who hates immigrants, black people, LGTBQ etc. it’s just so tiring
— Dave Dresden (@davedresden) August 4, 2019
Our thoughts go out to El Paso right now 😔❤️💯
— Virus Syndicate #SICKGANG 🤮 (@virus_syndicate) August 4, 2019
I’m so tired of hearing about all these shootings. My heart goes out to you #ElPaso. More lives taken by another senseless act. When will these dickheads in power listen to us? When will these headlines end? It’s gonna take more than thoughts and prayers.
— Kyle Harris (@kylesaidthis) August 4, 2019
Victims of a mass shooting didn’t go to the hospital because they were afraid of getting deported
What in the FUCK is this country right now man
— Crankdat ⚙️ (@crankdat) August 4, 2019
US: We have a problem with mass shooting.
Rest of the world: yea just ban guns like everyone.
US: No, guns are not the problem, the mass shootings are the problem.
Rest of the world: 🤦🏻♂️
— A P A S H E (@Apashe_Music) August 4, 2019
Can’t take turning on the tv and seeing another mass shooting. Somethings gotta change
— Lost Kings (@wearelostkings) August 4, 2019
This thread is really important to read because I don’t know what his intention is writing this, but this is part of the reason it’s tough to change gun laws here on a political level https://t.co/9M7SRUImdO
— ЖTИ (@killthenoise) August 4, 2019
if everyone just used fairly strong water guns and slapped each other instead of using actual guns + excessive force, people could still send the same message, but nobody would die https://t.co/aLhJyiqMbe
— 😛 (@joshpan) August 4, 2019
El Paso – We love you. We stand w/ Texas, we are Texans. 🙏🏼
— Tritonal (@Tritonal) August 4, 2019
My prayers go to everyone in El Paso… this is so sad i cant believe in our world it can still happen 😓😓😓
— RKO OUT NOW (@snailmusic) August 4, 2019
It’s so sad to hear this horrifying news in El Paso 💔
More comprehensive background checks for guns + ammo
More mental health resourcesLet’s start there!
— GRiZ (@Griz) August 3, 2019
man i love El Paso.. sending my love to everyone there right now 🖤
— Trap Mister Rogers (@yehme2) August 3, 2019
My heart goes out to all the victims and families of those affected by the El Paso shooting 💔 It’s so fucking sad we can’t seem to go a week without yet another mass shooting happening.
WE NEED GUN CONTROL RIGHT FUCKING NOW— DR WOKE (@DJSamF) August 3, 2019
Sending my love to El Paso right now. One of my favorite places on earth to play shows and the people are so special to me. I love y’all keep your had up and plz be safe. Also sending my love to Gilroy and Mississippi :/ I love y’all so much 🙏🏼❤️
— KENNEDY JONES (@KennedyJonesTHO) August 3, 2019