Celebrities call for gun control after Vegas shooting

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Celebrities have taken to social media to demand increased gun control laws following Sunday's shooting incident in Las Vegas.

At least 59 people were killed and 527 others injured after 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire from a hotel window on crowds attending a country music concert.

A man holds a program after an interfaith memorial service for victims of the Route 91 music festival mass shooting outside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Calls for the government to act

Lady Gaga and Billy Eichner urged US leaders to act to tighten gun laws following the incident, as artists voiced shock following the deadliest shooting in modern US history.

"This is terrorism plain and simple. Terror bares no race, gender or religion. Democrats & Republicans please unite now," Gaga said to her more than 71 million followers on Twitter.

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Lady Gaga also invited fans to join her in a 20-minute live stream of silent meditation or prayer, "to connect us all through inner peace."

Comedian and TV host Billy Eichner took a more aggressive line in criticizing the government's alleged inaction over gun control.

"Congress did nothing after Sandy Hook. NOTHING. Think about how INSANE that it. We’re calling Congress about everything else, why not this?"

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Love and prayers

Ariana Grande - whose concert in Manchester in May was targeted by a supporter of ISIL – said she could see little difference between that incident and the attack in Las Vegas.

"My heart is breaking for Las Vegas. We need love, unity, peace, gun control & for people to look at this & call this what it is terrorism," she tweeted.

Police continue to keep a section of Las Vegas Boulevard closed as they work the crime scene following the shooting. /Reuters Photo

Pop star Taylor Swift opted to steer clear of politics when she took to social media, instead writing: "There are no words to express the helplessness and sorrow my broken heart feels for the victims in Vegas and their families."

Rihanna similarly tweeted: "Saying a prayer for all the victims & their loved ones, also for the residents & visitors of Las Vegas! This was a horrific act of terror!!"

US sports world reeling

Less than 24 hours after the massacre, athletes, teams and leagues reacted in disbelief at the shooting.

LeBron James was one of the many stars from the sports world who took to social media to voice his condolences and express grief.

"Pray for Vegas!! What the hell is going on people!?!? My prayers sent to the heavens above for all the families," he wrote.

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"Sad day. Love and prayers #lasvegas. Let's not let hate win. Be kind to one another," wrote former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, who lives in Las Vegas.

The National Football League announced plans to honor those affected with a moment of silence before Monday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins.

The Oakland Raiders, set to relocate to Las Vegas in 2020, said the team would donate 50,000 US dollars to a relief fund.

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