AUSTIN, Texas – The Uvalde parents who lost their children in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary waited over 13 hours on Wednesday to testify in favor of a bill that would raise the age for someone to purchase a a semi-automatic rifle.
HB2744 would increase the age from 18 to 21 for someone to purchase a semi-automatic rifle with exceptions for peace officers, military members and those honorably discharged.
Family members told lawmakers if HB2744 was law last May, then the gunman would not been able to purchase the weapon he used. The Uvalde gunman who killed 21 people at an elementary school nearly a year ago was able to purchase and use two AR-style rifles and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition only eight days after his 18th birthday.
Despite 70% of Texans supporting legislation to raise the age to purchase a military style weapon, lawmakers believe the bill will likely face an uphill battle against Republicans to get out of House Committee hearings.
The surviving family members turned activists told lawmakers in the Community Safety Hearing that raising the age limit could save lives and create a safer state.
“It’s too late for us. No action you take will bring back our daughter, but you do have the opportunity to honor Lexie’s life and legacy by voting for House Bill 2744, which will make our community safer and save lives,” said Kimberly Rubio, mother of Lexi Rubio, who was among the 19 children killed.
Veronica Mata, whose daughter Tess, was also killed in the shooting, criticized lawmakers for not listening to their constituents and begged lawmakers to honor her daughter’s death with change.
“I can almost guarantee you that those of you that are against raising the age from 18 to 21 have not gotten an answer from constituents about what they think because you choose your political position to benefit yourself,” Mata said. “Tess didn’t have a choice in life or death but you as leaders have a choice of what my daughter’s life will be remembered for. Will she die in vain or will her life save another child? Maybe your child?”
The author of the bill, Tracy King, of Uvalde, said he would have voted against the bill in the last two legislative sessions.
“But at 11 o’clock on May 24th 2022 everything changed,” King said.
Rep. Ron Reynolds, who co-authored the bill, said there is a slim chance the bill will move forward because the National Rifle Association and the Texas Rifle Association are against the bill.
So all the Democrats on the committee support the bill, but Reynolds said finding support from Republicans is unlikely.
“So the likelihood of this bill getting out of committee is slight. The likelihood of this bill then getting on the floor is even slimmer,” Reynolds said.
Right now the bill is sitting in committee hearings. The Community Safety Committee will decide if the bill can move to the house floor for a vote.