Advocates for tougher gun laws held a rally across the street from the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday evening.
A few dozen people gathered to call on Texas lawmakers to expand gun control in the upcoming legislative session.
Democrats in Texas and across the country held events to recognize The National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention Wednesday.
“This is about public protection, this is about public safety,” said Andrea Brauer, Executive Director of Texas Gun Sense. The non-profit group works to combat gun violence in the state and organized the rally along with Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX).
The rally took place just days after the historic sit-in on Capitol Hill where House Democrats tried to force a vote on gun control following the mass shooting at an Orlando gay club.
“Basically anywhere you go now — an airport, a movie theatre, a night club — something could happen and I don’t want to live in fear, I don’t want my family and kids to live in fear,” Brauer said.
Rep. Doggett participated in the 26-hour sit-in as Democrats called on Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan to allow a vote on stricter gun control but the protest ended and no action was taken.
“The change will not come just from within the U.S. Capitol,” Doggett said.
Doggett, Texas Gun Sense and Moms Demand Action are now focused on making noise at the state level.
“I hope we can get some vote on it in Congress and that, sooner rather than later,” said Doggett.
According to Texas Gun Sense, about 2,800 people are killed each year by guns; that includes homicides, suicides and accidents in the state.
Brauer said, “A lot of Texans are dying, are we going to do something about it?” Is there something we can do about it?”
Some Texas Republicans were quick to fire back against the advocates for more control and defend the Second Amendment.
“You know it’s not the guns themselves that are fault. Guns are a tool and it depends on which hands they’re in,” said Andy Hogue, Travis County Republican Party Communications Director.
Hogue said guns are not to blame for murders or mass shooting, the people who pull the trigger are.
Brauer said that point reinforces the argument that the state needs to expand background checks and universal background checks are necessary.
“Of course it’s the people, that’s why we need to be careful who gets the guns,” Brauer said.
Texas Gun Sense emphasized the group is not “anti-gun.”
Brauer said she believes the state can strengthen its gun lawns and still preserve gun rights for law abiding citizens.
“To me it’s a common sense regulation. If we’re going to sell a deadly weapon there should be a background check attached to it,” Brauer said.
Doggett called the gun violence a public health crisis and he said government needs to take action at both the state and federal levels to address the problem.
“Unfortunately we will continue to see these terrible tragedies happen,” Brauer said. “It’s a disgrace to our country, especially if some of this is preventable.”
The rally in Austin was the final event of the day. Sit-ins and protests were also held in San Antonio and HoustoAdvocates for tougher gun laws held a rally across the street from the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday evening.A few dozen people gathered to call on Texas lawmakers to expand gun control in the upcoming legislative session.
Democrats in Texas and across the country held events to recognize The National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention Wednesday.
“This is about public protection, this is about public safety,” said Andrea Brauer, Executive Director of Texas Gun Sense. The non-profit group works to combat gun violence in the state and organized the rally along with Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX).
The rally took place just days after the historic sit-in on Capitol Hill where House Democrats tried to force a vote on gun control following the mass shooting at an Orlando gay club.
“Basically anywhere you go now — an airport, a movie theatre, a night club — something could happen and I don’t want to live in fear, I don’t want my family and kids to live in fear,” Brauer said.
Rep. Doggett participated in the 26-hour sit-in as Democrats called on Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan to allow a vote on stricter gun control but the protest ended and no action was taken.
“The change will not come just from within the U.S. Capitol,” Doggett said.
Doggett, Texas Gun Sense and Moms Demand Action are now focused on making noise at the state level.
“I hope we can get some vote on it in Congress and that, sooner rather than later,” said Doggett.
According to Texas Gun Sense, about 2,800 people are killed each year by guns; that includes homicides, suicides and accidents in the state.
Brauer said, “A lot of Texans are dying, are we going to do something about it?” Is there something we can do about it?”
Some Texas Republicans were quick to fire back against the advocates for more control and defend the Second Amendment.
“You know it’s not the guns themselves that are fault. Guns are a tool and it depends on which hands they’re in,” said Andy Hogue, Travis County Republican Party Communications Director.
Hogue said guns are not to blame for murders or mass shooting, the people who pull the trigger are.
Brauer said that point reinforces the argument that the state needs to expand background checks and universal background checks are necessary.
“Of course it’s the people, that’s why we need to be careful who gets the guns,” Brauer said.
Texas Gun Sense emphasized the group is not “anti-gun.”
Brauer said she believes the state can strengthen its gun lawns and still preserve gun rights for law abiding citizens.
“To me it’s a common sense regulation. If we’re going to sell a deadly weapon there should be a background check attached to it,” Brauer said.
Doggett called the gun violence a public health crisis and he said government needs to take action at both the state and federal levels to address the problem.
“Unfortunately we will continue to see these terrible tragedies happen,” Brauer said. “It’s a disgrace to our country, especially if some of this is preventable.”
The rally in Austin was the final event of the day. Sit-ins and protests were also held in San Antonio and Houston.
Advocates for tougher gun laws held a rally across the street from the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday evening.
