While Jason Aldean recently shared in an interview that he doesn't think it's his place to get involved in the debate over gun control policy, it would be difficult for the country star to take a completely impersonal stance on the topic: He was in the midst of a performance at Route 91 Harvest Festival last October when gunfire suddenly broke out, resulting in the death of 58 people and injury to hundreds more, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Not only did Aldean's bass player find a bullet lodged in his instrument following the tragedy, but the country star's crew of nearly 40 people, along with his then-pregnant wife Brittany Kerr, were all onsite at the festival. Two of his team's tour buses were shot, as well as their lighting board and stage, a recent interview with Billboard reports.

 In the wake of the shooting, Aldean felt grateful that none of his crew or family members were harmed, but also devastated -- and wracked with guilt -- over the victims that had come to the festival to hear him play. In the weeks and months following the shooting, the country star connected with surviving victims of the attack.

"Going back to the hospital, going back to Vegas and seeing those people. Seeing some of the strength they were having. People laid up in the hospital and smiling and laughing and just being glad they were alive. That sort of stuff helped me to look at it in a different view," Aldean explained to Billboard.

jason aldean pop up show photos
Rick Diamond, Getty Images for Field & Stream
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