Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) tried to consolation Texans on Wednesday, at some point after a gunman killed 19 youngsters and two academics within the state’s deadliest college capturing, by telling them that “it might have been worse.”
Abbott stated at a press convention that Texans want “love” and psychological well being care after an 18-year-old gunman went on a capturing rampage at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.
“All Texans should come collectively and help the households who’ve been affected by this horrific tragedy,” he stated. “What they want now greater than ever is our love. What they want is uplifting from all of our fellow Texans and all of our fellow People.”
“The fact is, as horrible as what occurred, it might have been worse,” Abbott stated. “The explanation it was not worse is as a result of legislation enforcement officers did what they do: They confirmed wonderful braveness by operating towards gun hearth for the singular function of making an attempt to save lots of lives.”
The lone gunman, who authorities stated bought two firearms and lots of of rounds of ammunition final week forward of the assault, was briefly stopped by responding legislation enforcement after arriving exterior the college. He exchanged gunfire with the officers however was nonetheless capable of enter a fourth-grade classroom, barricade the door, and proceed capturing.
In terms of stopping or slowing future violent acts, Abbott stated, the main focus shouldn’t be on gun management. As an alternative, he stated he desires to verify “that everyone on this neighborhood has the entry they want, for so long as they want it, to deal with the psychological, emotional well being care wants that they’ve.”
Nevertheless, he additionally stated he wouldn’t rethink accepting federal funds to increase Medicaid to deal with the problem.
Abbott stated 18-year-olds in Texas have been capable of purchase weapons for 60 years. He additionally dismissed the relevancy of prior college shootings in his state, saying that “for almost all of these 60 years we don’t have college shootings.”
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In 2018, a 17-year-old gunman fatally shot 10 folks and wounded 13 others at a highschool in Santa Fe. One other capturing at an El Paso Walmart in 2020 killed 23 folks and wounded 23 others, and a mass capturing in Midland and Odessa killed seven folks and injured greater than 20 others in 2019.
On the time of the Santa Fe assault, Abbott pledged to work with state legislators to look into options to gun violence. He went on to signal legal guidelines that might enhance mental health resources and give teachers more access to weapons on public college campuses.
Though Abbott made it clear that his workplace’s focus won’t be on gun restrictions within the wake of Tuesday’s tragedy, lawmakers in different states have vowed to clamp down.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) stated Wednesday that she desires to raise the minimum age to purchase an AR-15-style rifle in her state from 18 to 21. The gunman in a mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo earlier this month was additionally 18 and bought an AR-15; 10 folks have been killed and three others have been wounded.
Abbott dismissed different states’ gun legal guidelines when requested about them.
“I hate to say it, however there are extra people who find themselves shot each weekend in Chicago than there are in colleges in Texas,” he stated. “If you happen to’re searching for an actual answer, Chicago teaches that what you’re speaking about is just not an actual answer. Our job is to give you actual options that we will implement.”
