Saturday Night Live takes on gun control in wake of Las Vegas shooting

Saturday Night Live used the tragic Las Vegas shooting which saw 58 killed and hundreds more injured by gunman Stephen Paddock earlier this week to tackle the topic of gun control in its latest episode.

Opening the comedy sketch series' 'Weekend Update' segment, news anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che branded those opposed to enacting a weapon ban following the massacre “delicate snowflakes.”

Jost said: “The investigation into the tragedy in Las Vegas this week has sparked a larger debate in America between people who want common sense gun control, and people who are wrong.

“This shouldn't be a partisan issue, the guy had 47 guns. No one should own 47 of anything. If you own 47 cats, you are not a responsible pet owner, you’re a crazy cat lady. And unlike with guns, the government will actually come and take your cats away, because everyone agrees that’s insane.”

It was here where Che chimed in, asking the prevailing question: “Why is it so hard to get gun control in this country? I mean, who are these delicate snowflakes that we can’t just tell, ‘No, you are not allowed to have 40 guns anymore, Earl. From now on, you can have one gun, max, and six bullets. If you can’t hit what you’re shooting with six bullets, then you don’t need to be shooting at it. Learn karate, or use your words.'”

Jason Aldean, the country singer who was performing as Paddock open fired on music fans from his room at the Manderlay Hotel, opened the episode with a touching tribute to victims as well rock musician Tom Petty who died on Monday (2 October) at the age of 66. He performed a rendition of Petty's song, “I Won't Back Down”, which you can watch here.

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