In Orlando, Florida, USA, a man shot 50 people and injured 53 in a gay nightclub. It became the worst shooting in U.S. history and the worst terrorist attack since 9/11.

After exchanging gunfire with police, the attacker retreated into the club and took the survivors hostage. The SWAT team stormed the club and rescued 30 people, and the attacker was shot dead. The attacker had contacted police himself from inside the nightclub and stated his allegiance to the Islamic State.

President Obama identified this as an “act of terror” and said that it was a heartbreaking day for the LGBT community. He pointed to the social issue behind this incident stating that it becomes increasingly more evident how easy it is for anyone to obtain weapons in the U.S.

It was terrorism aimed at civilians. We pray for the peace of those who lost their lives, and the speedy recovery of the internal and external wounds of their families and other injured victims.

3 Big Problems in the U.S.

This most recent shooting elucidated problems in U.S. society: 1, terrorism from Islamic extremists; 2, ethical issues regarding LGBT; and 3, the gun rights issue.

1.Terrorism From Islamic Extremists

Cases where Islamic extremists attack Europe and the U.S. are increasing: the September 11 attacks in 2001, the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris in January 2015, and the November 2015 Paris attacks, to name a few. In addition, the Islamic State with its steadily increasing power on the boarders of Iraq and Syria, vow to attack the U.S. mainland and continue to encourage “lone wolf” attacks worldwide. The Islamic State has confessed its involvement with the Orlando shooting, though police could find no proof of a direct connection. In any case, the attacker announced his allegiance to the Islamic State in his 911 call to the police, so naturally the U.S. will have to be on guard.

2.Ethical Issues Regarding LGBT

Until recently, only some states in the U.S. approved of gay marriages, but since June last year when a gay couple filed a lawsuit in a state that didn’t, the Supreme Court decided to legalize gay marriages in all states. There has, however, been much opposition from conservatives who have deeply rooted Christian values. Gay marriage is also prohibited in Islam, and in some Islamic countries the penalty is death. Prejudices and oppression on sexual minorities such as gays, is not easy to remove.

3.The Gun Rights Problem

In January of this year, President Obama shed tears while demanding the tightening of gun control, and by Executive Order, enforced thorough investigation into the personal background of every gun buyer in the U.S. The Executive Order has no need of congressional approval. Obama’s Democratic Party is trying to control guns, but the Republican Party continues to vehemently uphold this freedom under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and thus oppose gun regulation, and so it was not legislated.

Freedom to possess guns, or the removal of the danger of guns: it is difficult to reach a conclusion.

Investigations have only begun on the Orlando shooting, and many things including the attackers motives are still unclear; but what is clear is the gravity of the many problems U.S. society is facing. Just where exactly does justice lie? Perhaps the U.S. is most eager to know the answer.