Texas Governor Abbott Demands ‘Firearm Safety’ Committee After Uvalde Shooting

Topline

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) on Wednesday called for the Texas legislature to immediately convene committees to take “meaningful action” following last week’s mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school, including “firearm safety,” but it’s unclear exactly what steps Abbott is willing to take on the issue.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) speaks during a news conference in Uvalde, Texas, on Friday.

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Key Facts

The governor sent a letter to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R), who heads the Senate, and House Speaker Dade Phelan (R), requesting that each convene a special legislative committee to study five topics: firearm safety, school safety, mental health, social media and police training.

Abbott tasked the committees with reviewing previous legislative actions and evaluating state resources to make recommendations to “prevent future school shootings.”

Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment from Forbes seeking clarity on what he views as firearm safety and what actions he’d be willing to take on the issue.

At a news conference last week, Abbott said tougher gun laws are “not a real solution” in response to mass shootings.

Crucial Quote

“We as a State must reassess the twin issues of school safety and mass violence,” Abbott said in the letter. “As leaders, we must come together at this time to provide solutions to protect all Texans.”

Surprising Fact

Abbott in the past voiced support for limited gun control measures, but ultimately backed down from taking action. After a 2018 shooting left ten people dead at Santa Fe High School near Houston, Abbott endorsed a “red flag” law allowing courts to restrict firearm access to those deemed a danger to themself of others. He also floated the idea of expanding background checks after 23 people were killed in a shooting at an El Paso Walmart in 2019.

Contra

Over the past few years, Abbott has signed several bills into law easing gun restrictions, including legislation allowing Texans to carry handguns—without training or a license.

Key Background

The May 24 shooting left 19 children, two teachers and a gunman dead at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Democrats, including President Joe Biden, have demanded new gun control measures in response to the shooting, while many Republicans say the solution is to significantly tighten security at all schools. Both sides have blasted the police response to the May 24 shooting and the numerous conflicting accounts authorities have given about what went on that day. Abbott on Friday said he was “livid” upon learning the gunman remained in the school building for up to an hour after he started shooting. The governor said authorities “misled” him immediately after the shooting, causing him to share inaccurate information about a swift police response.