Republican Lawmakers Say Gun Reform Isn’t The Solution To Mass Shootings In Schools
In the wake of the Robb Elementary school shooting, Republican lawmakers have given there thoughts on gun reform.
There is no denying the fact that America has a unique issue with mass shootings. In the wake of the tragic Robb Elementary school shooting in Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 young children and two heroic teachers, the great political debate on gun reform has once again been front and center. When the news of the mass shooting broke, and America turned its attention to the small community of Uvalde, Texas, Republican lawmakers sent their thoughts and prayers, and also swiftly got to work defending their claims to gun rights advocacy. Here is what some of them had to say, and what they think can be done to curb the growing issue.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott has been a key face since the shooting occurred early on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Texas Tribune reported that Abbott vowed to come up with safety solutions through his administration. However, he gave no specifics as to what that reform may be. Similarly, when pressed about possible gun reform in the state, the pro-gun rights leader once again implied that stricter gun laws were not the answer. To this, he pointed to Chicago and New York City.
“I hate to say this, but there are more people shot every weekend in Chicago than there are in schools in Texas. We need to realize that people who think, ‘Well, maybe if we implement tougher gun laws, it’s going to solve it,’ Chicago, LA and New York disprove that thesis.” he said during the press conference on Wednesday. Illinois’ Democratic Governor slammed the remarks made by Abbot. Taking to Twitter, Gov. JB Pritzker stated that the majority of guns involved in Chicago shootings come from outside states like Texas, with “lax gun laws.” Still, Abbott was not alone in his belief that gun reform is not the solution.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who is often the star of contentious political debate, also gave a little insight into his long-standing beliefs that gun reform will not deter mass shootings. Following a vigil held in Texas for the elementary school victims, the Senator was grilled by a Sky News correspondent who asked him why these types of violent acts only seem to happen in America. Before storming off abruptly ending the interview, Cruz shared some of his viewpoints.
First, he denounced Democrats’ plans for gun reform, saying that no such laws would have stopped the mass shooting from occurring. As the journalist continued to provoke the senator to say more, he eventually walked away. But in another interview with MSNBC on Tuesday, Cruz made it clear that his answer to the problem is more armed officers inside schools.
Texas’ Luitenant Gov. Dan Patrick also doubled down on claims that gun reform wouldn’t solve the issue. Speaking Tuesday night with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Patrick suggested that the solution is to “harden these targets” going on to add that doing so would make it so that no perpetrator would be able to enter schools except through one entrance. He had no suggestions as to how this should be done, but likely it would mean restructuring buildings – a costly venture. As is usual in politics, Republicans feel that the issue of mass shootings can not be fixed with stricter gun laws and gun reform. Maybe these views are right, and maybe they are wrong. Regardless, the issue is only growing in size. Gunfire on school grounds across the nation is at a historic high, and unless something changes, it may only get worse next year.
