AUSTIN, Texas – It’s been just over a week since three 9-year-olds were killed at an elementary school in Nashville. In Texas, State Sen. Roland Gutierrez continues to present new legislation in hopes of preventing another school shooting.
No new bills were introduced Tuesday. However, families of the Uvalde victims stood by Gutierrez to support past bills he has filed.
“What’s happening right now in Texas legislature is a farce, and we are not protecting our kids,” Gutierrez said.
Since the start of the 2023 Legislative Session, Gutierrez and other state lawmakers have introduced 21 pieces of legislation in honor of the 21 victims at Robb Elementary.
Nearly every week, Gutierrez has been joined by victims’ families of mass shootings from across the state.
Kimberly Rubio talked about the Nashville shooting and how six families grieve just as she does for her daughter Lexi Rubio, who never made it home from Robb Elementary last May.
Rubio says Texas lawmakers have time to change gun laws to stop the next school shooting.
“The Texas lawmakers have the opportunity to prevent future tragedies. They have eight weeks to act, do something, prioritize the children of the state,” said Rubio.
In this session, Gutierrez and his fellow lawmakers have proposed legislation related to stricter background checks, raising the age to purchase semi-automatic weapons and implementing databases for ammunition purchases.
He has also pushed for a memorial to victims of mass shootings in the Texas State Cemetery, increasing accountability, school safety, and mental health resources.
At this point, the 18 bills introduced by Gutierrez’s office have been referred to the state affairs, criminal justice, and education committees.