New Year’s Day 2025 — a day that should have symbolized hope and renewal — began with unspeakable tragedy, casting a dark shadow over the year ahead. In the early morning hours, two horrific events shook the nation. In New Orleans, a pickup truck plowed into Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring 35 more in a calculated act of terror inspired by extremist ideology. Just hours later, in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside a prominent hotel owned by 2024 President Elect Donald Trump, killing the driver in what authorities described as a suicide bombing. These incidents may be isolated tragedies from each other, yet they are signs of our society increasingly under siege by violence.

What does it mean for 2025 to start this way? Are we entering a year defined by escalating chaos, where each day brings new grief and uncertainty? From a Christian perspective, such events are not just tests of faith but calls to action. God-ordained governments to protect and serve (Romans 13:1–4) seem increasingly unable — or unwilling — to fulfill their essential mandate: preserving life. With these types of attacks becoming alarmingly frequent, we must ask ourselves: How much more can we endure before the need for stronger action becomes undeniable?

This post analyzes these tragedies and their implications for our nation through the lens of Biblical principles and our moral responsibility. It challenges readers to confront the failures in current policies and explore solutions to prevent such atrocities in the future. If 2025 has taught us anything so far, we cannot afford complacency in the face of an overwhelming need for change.

New Year’s Day 2025

New Year’s Day 2025 began with celebrations but quickly became a nightmare as two separate tragic events unfolded across the country.

New Orleans — 3:15 a.m.

The streets of New Orleans were alive with celebration in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Bourbon Street, the heart of the French Quarter, drew large crowds eager to welcome 2025. But at 3:15 a.m., joy turned to terror when a pickup truck plowed into the crowd, killing 14 and injuring 35. Authorities later revealed that the driver, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran, had been inspired by ISIS.

Jabbar’s weapon was not a bomb or a gun but an electric pickup truck rented through Turo. A rented vehicle became a weapon of destruction, leaving shattered lives and unanswered questions. Jabbar also posted five videos on Facebook in the hours and minutes leading up to the attack which discussed that he changed his family “celebration”plans because he wanted news headlines to focus on the “war between the believers and the disbelievers.” Jabbar was killed while exchanging fire with police after ramming the truck, which flew an ISIS flag, through the crowd.

How did someone with ties to extremist ideology manage to carry out such a deadly act? As the investigation unfolded, the city mourned, grappling with the implications of a system that allowed this tragedy to occur.

Las Vegas — 7:30 a.m.

Just four hours later, across the country in Las Vegas, another tragedy unfolded — this time quieter but equally unsettling. At 7:30 a.m., a Tesla Cybertruck pulled into the valet area of an international hotel owned by 2024 President Elect Donald Trump. The vehicle sat idle for only 15 seconds before it exploded, killing the driver, 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger.

Livelsberger left his Colorado Springs home the day after Christmas, following an argument with his wife. After leaving Colorado, he rented the Tesla Cybertruck on Turo app and made his way to Vegas. Livelsberger then cruised the Las Vegas strip and parked at a nearby business for 45 minutes before going to Trump Hotel, then 17 seconds later, his explosives were detonated. 

Unlike the New Orleans attack, this was not a mass casualty event. Livelsberger, an active-duty member of the Army’s Special Forces, had shot himself moments before the explosion, which authorities later deemed a suicide bombing. The blast, contained by the Cybertruck’s design, caused minimal damage beyond the vehicle.

Still, questions loomed. Livelsberger had rented the Cybertruck through Turo just days earlier, and his movements had been tracked via Tesla’s charging stations. His method — painstakingly planned — hinted at deep psychological torment and underscored a troubling reality: a highly trained individual had turned his expertise inward, leaving destruction in his wake.

Are These Events Connected?

While these incidents are likely not connected, the parallels are striking. Both men were military-trained at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (now known as Fort Liberty) and both men served in Afghanistan in 2009. Both used rental vehicles obtained through a widely accessible app to facilitate their attacks. The motivations — likely rooted in mental health issues, extremism, despair, or a mix — point to cracks in the systems meant to protect us.

These events could quickly happen again. The tools were ordinary, access was simple, and the consequences were catastrophic. As we reflect on these tragedies, we must ask ourselves: How do we stop everyday conveniences from becoming instruments of destruction? How can a deeply divided nation find common ground to address the root causes of such violence?

The answers are neither easy nor quick, but one thing is sure — 2025 has begun with a sobering reminder of the urgency of these questions.

Governments Are God’s Servants For Your Good — Romans 13:4

As the nation reels from the tragic events in New Orleans and Las Vegas, one glaring question looms: Where was the government in preventing this? From a Christian worldview perspective, the government’s role is clear — its authority is ordained by God to protect and serve (Romans 13:1–7). This responsibility is sacred, rooted in the moral imperative to act justly and safeguard human life. Yet, as we dissect these tragedies, the cracks in this foundation become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Just as parents, governments — in my opinion — are called to be protectors even against the wishes of their citizens. Romans 13 describes rulers as “God’s servant for your good,” tasked with bearing the sword against wrongdoing. But what happens when that sword feels dulled by bureaucracy or indifference? The recent events of New Year’s Day — and the legacy of the gun violence in America — expose a sobering reality: our systems are failing to shield us from escalating tragedies, with dire consequences.

The Failure to Act

Consider the tools that made these attacks possible. Peer-to-peer rental platforms like Turo were central to both incidents, yet there seems to be little oversight governing who can access such services or for what purposes. Jabbar and Livelsberger turned rental vehicles into weapons of destruction, bypassing meaningful safeguards. Is it acceptable that such platforms remain largely unregulated while their services are increasingly exploited in acts of violence?

Beyond this, domestic terrorism and gun violence remain festering wounds in our society. Despite countless school shootings and public massacres, the government has failed to implement comprehensive measures to address these threats. Laws that could tighten firearm regulations, enhance surveillance of extremist activities, or impose stricter background checks on services like Turo are debated endlessly, but rarely enacted. Every day that passes without action feels like an invitation for the next tragedy.

Are We at the Tipping Point?

It is tempting to believe that there is a breaking point — a moment when the scale of violence will finally force change. But are we already there? In 2025 alone, we’ve witnessed these two horrific events and countless others in the recent past that should have spurred us into action. School shootings have become so frequent that we as a society are numb because of their continual reoccurrence. Acts of mass violence now feel like a grim inevitability rather than an anomaly.

Are we a nation at a critical mass, teetering on the edge of normalizing senseless bloodshed? How much longer can we continue on this trajectory before the very fabric of our society unravels? The role of government, ordained by God and entrusted by its people, is to intervene — to wield its authority to protect and preserve life. When it fails to do so, it is not just a political failing, but a moral one.

A Call for Accountability

The tragedies of New Year’s Day demand more than thoughts and prayers —they also demand action. The government’s failure to act decisively against domestic terrorism and mass violence is a betrayal of its God-given responsibility. As citizens, we must hold our leaders accountable and demand new regulations.

If we truly believe in the sanctity of life — a core tenet of the Christian worldview — we must also demand policies that reflect this belief. Anything less is not just a failure of governance but a failure of our faith.

Governments Should Not Be A Terror To Good Conduct, But To Bad — Romans 13:3

The tragedies of New Year’s Day demand bold, meaningful reform. The tools of violence — firearms and modern technology — are too easily accessed and weaponized under the current framework. But there is hope. Nations like Australia and Japan have proven that decisive action can dramatically reduce violence, offering us a roadmap to a safer future.

Strengthen Firearm Regulations

The United States must confront its lax approach to firearm access. Mandatory psychological evaluations and rigorous training requirements for firearm purchases are essential steps. These measures would ensure that only those with mental stability and necessary skills can handle firearms responsibly.

Equally critical are red-flag laws for social media platforms and empowering authorities to act when individuals exhibit dangerous behavior. Such laws could have prevented countless tragedies, intervening before warning signs culminated in violence.

Australia’s Example

Australia offers one of the most compelling examples of the power of gun reform. After the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where 35 lives were lost, the Australian government implemented sweeping changes, including a mandatory gun buyback program. This initiative removed over 600,000 firearms — nearly one-third of the country’s civilian-owned guns — from circulation.

The results were immediate and profound. Firearm-related suicides dropped by 74% over the next decade, and gun-related homicides fell by 59%, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Even more striking, the country has not experienced a mass shooting in over two decades since the reforms.

Australia’s bold action was not without resistance, but its success speaks for itself. It demonstrates that comprehensive measures can lead to dramatic declines in gun violence and save countless lives.

Japan’s Example

Japan provides another powerful example of what is possible with strong firearm regulations. In Japan, gun ownership is a privilege, requiring passing a rigorous process, including psychological evaluations, written exams, and police background checks. These measures, combined with cultural attitudes that discourage gun ownership, have made Japan one of the safest nations in the world.

According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Japan averages fewer than 10 gun-related deaths annually in a country of 125 million people. This is not a coincidence. Japan’s strict licensing system and comprehensive background checks create a high barrier to firearm access, preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands.

Improve Technology and Surveillance

Technology must also be a key focus of reform. Both New Year’s Day incidents revealed how easily peer-to-peer rental platforms and modern digital tools can be exploited. To counter this, AI-driven systems should monitor online extremist activity, analyze communication patterns, and identify suspicious networks.

Integrating vehicle tracking and monitoring systems for high-risk rentals — especially on platforms like Turo — would add an extra layer of accountability. These measures would make it significantly harder for individuals to plan and execute acts of violence.

Enhance Peer-to-Peer Rental Oversight

The accessibility of platforms like Turo was instrumental in enabling both the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks. Stricter regulations for these services are long overdue. At a minimum, rental platforms should require thorough background checks for users and impose restrictions on individuals flagged for concerning behavior. These measures would not stifle innovation, but ensure that convenience does not come at the expense of public safety.

A Path Forward

The examples of Australia and Japan make one thing clear: stricter regulations save lives. Australia’s immediate drop in gun-related deaths and Japan’s near-total elimination of gun violence prove that comprehensive measures work. The question is whether the United States will have the courage to follow suit.

We can create a system prioritizing safety and life by strengthening firearm regulations, leveraging technology to counter extremist activity, and enhancing oversight of peer-to-peer platforms. This is not merely a political imperative but a moral one. If we choose inaction, we are complicit in allowing preventable tragedies to continue. Let us learn from these nations and take meaningful steps toward a future where such violence is no longer the norm.

American’s Gun Violence —A Short List 

The 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Australia, which claimed 35 lives, served as a critical turning point, prompting sweeping gun reform that drastically reduced firearm-related violence. In the United States, numerous events echo the scale and devastation of Port Arthur, yet similar reform has not followed. Below is a short list of five mass shootings that mirror the gravity of Australia’s tipping point and highlight the urgent need for systemic change:

• Columbine High School Shooting (April 20, 1999, Littleton, Colorado): Two high school students killed 12 classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives. The event became a cultural touchstone for mass shootings, drawing attention to gun laws, mental health, and school safety.
• Virginia Tech Shooting (April 16, 2007, Blacksburg, Virginia): A student killed 32 people and wounded 17 others in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The massacre raised questions about background checks and mental health considerations in firearm purchases.
• Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting (December 14, 2012, Newtown, Connecticut): A 20-year-old gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children aged six and seven. The tragedy shocked the nation and reignited debates about gun control, although substantial federal reform did not follow.
• Pulse Nightclub Shooting (June 12, 2016, Orlando, Florida): A single gunman killed 49 people and injured 53 others in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The tragedy highlighted vulnerabilities in laws allowing access to high-capacity firearms.
• Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting (October 1, 2017, Las Vegas, Nevada): A gunman opened fire on a music festival from a nearby hotel, killing 60 people and injuring over 400 in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The use of bump stocks to increase the rate of fire drew significant attention to firearm modifications.

Each of these tragedies mirrors the senseless loss experienced at Port Arthur and raises the same questions: What will it take to prevent such violence? How can reform save lives here as it did in Australia?

Love Your Neighbor — Matthew 22:39

As we consider the regulatory changes needed to prevent future tragedies, examining how these measures align with Christian values — particularly the political priorities many Christians hold dear, is crucial. As Christians, we value life, stewardship, and justice. These principles should shape how Christians approach issues like abortion or free speech, and extend to policies that protect lives and promote safety beyond the womb.

Pro-Life Consistency

The pro-life stance, which many Christians champion at the ballot box, must be more than a slogan — a consistent ethic. If we truly believe in the sanctity of life, our concern cannot end at birth. Supporting policies that protect individuals from gun violence, domestic terrorism, and preventable harm is a natural extension of valuing life as God’s sacred creation.

The tragedies in New Orleans and Las Vegas starkly remind us that being pro-life means advocating for the preservation of life at every stage. This includes holding our government accountable for enacting laws that deter violence and protect the vulnerable. A pro-life worldview should compel us to ask: What more can be done to ensure that lives are not only brought into the world, but also safeguarded within it?

Reassessing the Right to Bear Arms

For many Christians, the right to bear arms extends the Biblical principle of self-defense. Scripture acknowledges the legitimacy of defending oneself and others (Luke 22:36, Exodus 22:2). However, this right must be tempered by responsibility and recognizing the potential for harm.

Reckless endangerment of others through unchecked firearm access contradicts the call to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Responsible stewardship of freedoms is essential. The Second Amendment should not shield inaction when lives are at stake. Instead, Christians must promote policies that balance the right to self-defense with the need for public safety.

We must wrestle with this: Are we clinging to our rights at the expense of others’ lives? A Biblical worldview prioritizes the community’s well-being, urging us to act as responsible stewards of our freedoms and our neighbor’s safety.

Freedom of Speech vs. Harmful Ideologies

Another cornerstone of Christian political engagement is the defense of free speech. However, freedom without accountability can foster harm. When speech incites violence or spreads ideologies that dehumanize others, it crosses a line that Christians should not ignore.

The role of government is not to suppress free thought but to regulate actions — including speech — that directly lead to violence or threaten public safety. Romans 13 reminds us that governing authorities are instituted by God to maintain order and protect the innocent. Speech that inspires acts of terror, as seen in New Orleans and Las Vegas, cannot be dismissed as harmless.

Christians who value truth and justice must be willing to advocate for policies that combat harmful ideologies while safeguarding the free exchange of ideas. This delicate balance ensures that freedom is preserved without enabling violence.

A Call to Align Priorities

New Year’s Day events challenge Christians to reevaluate how their political priorities align with Biblical principles. Being pro-life means more than opposing abortion — it means advocating for life in all its forms. Defending the right to bear arms must include a commitment to responsible stewardship. Supporting free speech requires addressing the harm caused by extremist ideologies.

These tragedies invite us to ask hard questions about the systems we support and the values we uphold. Are we voting, advocating, and acting in ways that reflect Christ’s command to love our neighbors and pursue justice? Let this be a moment of reflection and redirection as we seek to align our political engagement with the heart of the Gospel.

Be Subject To Government Authority — Romans 13:1

While devastating, the tragedies of New Year’s Day are part of a larger story — one that has played out in school hallways, grocery stores, houses of worship, and public streets. Each act of mass violence adds to a relentless drumbeat of loss and fear. How many more lives must be shattered before confronting the crisis with bold regulation?

Imagine the ripple effects of these tragedies: a mother debating whether to send her child to school, fearful of a lockdown drill turning into a real emergency. Friends are canceling plans to gather in public, and they are uneasy about the possibility of the next attack. This is the America of 2025, a society where violence no longer shocks, but confirms the worst. If the government’s role is to protect its citizens, how do we reconcile this reality with the seeming inaction of our leaders? What will it take for us, as a nation, to demand meaningful change?

Some argue that change is impossible or that regulation won’t work. They point to America’s uniqueness, claiming that what succeeds in countries like Australia and Japan is incompatible with our culture. Others insist that more government oversight infringes on freedom. These objections raise an uncomfortable question: Are we holding on to these arguments because they are valid or because they allow us to avoid hard decisions?

If we fail to act, what kind of future are we choosing? One defined by the normalization of violence, where public spaces carry the risk of tragedy? Or one where we rise to the challenge of protecting life and freedom, even when it means difficult conversations and decisive action? The choice is ours, but time is running out.

Blessed Are The Peacemakers — Matthew 5:9

The challenges we face as a nation require more than reflection — they demand action. The tragedies in New Orleans and Las Vegas, alongside countless others, remind us that violence will not abate on its own. If we are to honor the lives lost and prevent further suffering, we must rise as citizens to hold our leaders accountable. Change begins when we demand it, not with fleeting outrage but with sustained advocacy that prioritizes safety, justice, and human dignity.

From a Christian perspective, the call is clear. Scripture charges governments to be responsible for promoting justice and righteousness (Romans 13:1–4). As citizens, we are permitted and encouraged to advocate for these principles. Micah 6:8 reminds us to “act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Justice and mercy are not abstract ideals but active commitments requiring courage and perseverance.

As Christians, we are also called to be peacemakers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). This is not a passive role. Peacemaking means stepping into our world’s brokenness and working to mend it. It means pursuing policies and practices that protect lives and foster peace, even when doing so is complex and costly.

The question is simple but profound: How will we answer the call? Will we let fear and division paralyze us, or will we take the necessary steps to create a safer, more just society? The time for action is now. Let us rise together to advocate for meaningful change, trusting that when we seek justice and peace, we reflect the heart of God and honor His image in every life we seek to protect.

Join the Conversation

This discussion is far from over, and your voice matters. How can we balance the freedom we cherish with the safety we desperately need? Are stricter regulations the solution, or do you see a different path forward? What role should faith play in shaping our collective response to these tragedies?

We invite you to share your thoughts, perspectives, and prayers. Do you see parallels between these events and broader societal trends? What steps can individuals, communities, and governments take to make a meaningful difference?

The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views or positions of my employer.

I’m just a dad who blogs about the intersections of life, faith, family, and technology. These are the threads that weave through my personal and spiritual walk.