May 27, 2022 -- In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that killed 19 children and two teachers, the chair of the Mayor's Commission Against Gun Violence released the following letter calling for immediate action on common-sense gun reform.
Haley C. Carter is a native Houstonian, former United States Marine officer, former Houston Dash soccer player, and graduate of the University of Houston Law School:
“Unpredictable.”
“Unfathomable.”
The words used by Governor Abbott to describe the horrors we have seen in the past week are simply unbelievable. This tragedy and the others which preceded it on his watch were predictable, perhaps even anticipated. Governor Abbott’s words now, more than ever, ring hollow and insincere.
Mayor Turner created the Commission Against Gun Violence following the devastating massacre of eight children and two teachers at Santa Fe High School. Before Santa Fe, the Sutherland Springs shooter killed 26 of our fellow Texans. Since then, Texas has experienced the mass shooting in El Paso and now Uvalde. When is enough, enough? Truly.
Our Commission has spent countless hours researching, crafting, and lobbying for sensible gun control and violence reduction policies, almost all of which have been ignored by state leadership. Many haven’t even received a hearing in the Legislature. Since then, the situation has gone from bad to worse, and it remains entirely and totally unacceptable. The passing of permitless carry and the lowering of the legal age for purchasing handguns to 18 are policies that were opposed by police and have led to more guns on our streets.
The Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker need to stop. Just stop, quit talking, stop campaigning, and be honest with Texans. Until common-sense gun reforms are passed, like background checks, red flag laws, and safe storage legislation, we will continue to see tragedy after preventable tragedy.
As Chair of this Commission, I am calling for immediate action. The Commission will meet with the mayor to update all City gun violence programs. I encourage all Houstonians to contact their elected representatives and ask them what they intend to do to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Enough excuses. It’s time to prioritize our children and their safety over guns. It’s time for Houstonians, and all Texans, to hold our leadership accountable.
