A new TIME magazine cover lists the names and ages of each of the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando Sunday. A title reads "Why Did They Die?" Less than a week has passed since the incident, and the nation is trying to wrap its head around that question. What's worse is that the list doesn't end there. One page only scratches the surface.
The seemingly endless list of names shows that Orlando isn't a unique situation. It's a part of a trend. In a piece simultaneously published online, TIME continued the list until every mass shooting victim in America since 1982 was named. In total, there have been 630 victims from 82 attacks. It takes 15 or more swipes of the mouse pad to scroll through them all.
TIME obtained its numbers from Mother Jones, which it cites as being one of the most reliable sources for this type of data. The reporters who compiled the list — Rosalie Chan, David Johnson, Emma Ockerman, and Justin Worland — reminded their readers that, surprisingly, there is no "authoritative source" on the matter. The government defines a "mass shooting" as an attack which kills at least three people, excluding the shooter, but it has not consistently recorded such victims.
The publication's decision to focus on the victims reflects FBI director James Comey's request that the media does not name or sensationalize the shooter. This time of remembrance and commemoration for the lives lost, however, hasn't been silent. The extreme sadness has sparked a dogged call for action among gun control supporters and Democratic politicians.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy spearheaded a 15-hour filibuster, insisting the Republicans hold votes on two gun control policies. It began Wednesday afternoon and lasted until early Thursday morning. Though the Democrats weren't able to convince the other side of the aisle to support the reinstatement of the Federal Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazine Ban which Obama promoted on Tuesday, the promise of somewhat stricter gun control is a step forward. One amendment would prevent anyone who's been on a terrorist watch list from purchasing a gun, and the other would tighten background checks for gun buyers.
As the votes wait to be held, people around the world are standing up to display their solidarity with the victims, their families and friends, and the LGBT community. TIME's list of the Orlando victims, along with photographs of each of them, can be found here.
