WEATHER ALERT
Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales
Read full article: Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony GonzalesHerrera said he doesn’t expect the results to change, “but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned.”
Feds arrest five men accused of smuggling illegally purchased guns to cartels in Mexico
Read full article: Feds arrest five men accused of smuggling illegally purchased guns to cartels in MexicoThe men were charged with two criminal offenses, including straw purchasing of firearms, created by the 2022 bipartisan gun safety bill authored by Sen. John Cornyn.
U.S. Supreme Court hears Texas case about whether domestic violence suspects can be banned from having guns
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court hears Texas case about whether domestic violence suspects can be banned from having gunsThe high court heard arguments in the case brought by Zackey Rahimi, who went on a shooting spree after being placed under a domestic violence protective order. Rahimi argues that his constitutional right to bear arms was violated.
A public health response helped reduce fatal car wrecks in Texas. Can it do the same for gun deaths?
Read full article: A public health response helped reduce fatal car wrecks in Texas. Can it do the same for gun deaths?For the first time in a generation, Texans were more likely to die of gunshot wounds than car crashes in 2021. Experts worry a lack of research on the issue has hampered the search for solutions.
Watch Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly speak at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival
Read full article: Watch Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly speak at the 2023 Texas Tribune FestivalGiffords, a former U.S. representative, and Kelly, a U.S. senator, spoke to Katie Couric about combating the epidemic of gun violence.
Kyle Rittenhouse launches nonprofit with far-right Texans as he ramps up political engagement in the state
Read full article: Kyle Rittenhouse launches nonprofit with far-right Texans as he ramps up political engagement in the stateThe activist known for shooting Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020 has created the Rittenhouse Foundation, which promises to fight for gun rights and includes leaders who have close ties to ultraconservative megadonors from West Texas.
Texans do not need a license to carry, but some gun owners still want one
Read full article: Texans do not need a license to carry, but some gun owners still want oneSince the permitless carry law passed in 2021, Texans have not needed a license to carry a gun. But gun instructors and some gun owners still see the benefits in taking the classes necessary to obtain a license.
Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez draw distinctions on key issues as they target Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024
Read full article: Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez draw distinctions on key issues as they target Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024Heading into the primary, the U.S. House member and state senator answer questions on guns, the border, abortion and other parts of their platforms.
Texas House passes ban on devices that modify handguns, but averts vote on increasing age to buy semi-automatic rifles
Read full article: Texas House passes ban on devices that modify handguns, but averts vote on increasing age to buy semi-automatic riflesA Texas lawmaker introduced an amendment that would have revived a proposal to raise the minimum age to buy certain semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 before it was ultimately withdrawn.
Deaths from firearms keep climbing in Texas, decades after lawmakers began weakening gun regulations
Read full article: Deaths from firearms keep climbing in Texas, decades after lawmakers began weakening gun regulationsThe rate of firearm-related deaths in Texas has reached a level not seen since the 1990s. Texas lawmakers have approved more than 100 bills that loosened gun restrictions since 2000.
Poll finds solid majority of Texans, even Republicans, favor raising age for gun purchases
Read full article: Poll finds solid majority of Texans, even Republicans, favor raising age for gun purchasesThe University of Texas survey also found stronger support for Sen. Ted Cruz, while Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis remain popular among Republicans.
A divided Uvalde hasn’t had time to heal, speakers say
Read full article: A divided Uvalde hasn’t had time to heal, speakers sayDuring a Texas Tribune event marking one year since the shooting at Robb Elementary School, parents, mental health experts and faith leaders talked about how the path to recovery isn’t the same for everybody.
In overnight testimony, Uvalde victims’ family members call on Texas lawmakers to raise age to buy semi-automatic guns
Read full article: In overnight testimony, Uvalde victims’ family members call on Texas lawmakers to raise age to buy semi-automatic gunsThe families of Uvalde shooting victims waited hours to testify at a House committee hearing in support of House Bill 2744, which would raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic guns from 18 to 21.
Texas House committee debates firearms bills filed in response to Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Texas House committee debates firearms bills filed in response to Uvalde shootingThe House Select Committee on Community Safety is scheduled to hear testimony on bills that would change how people buy firearms and how authorities report those purchases. One of these bills would raise the minimum age to 21 years old to purchase certain semi-automatic rifles.
TribCast: Police officers’ fear of the AR-15 in Robb Elementary
Read full article: TribCast: Police officers’ fear of the AR-15 in Robb ElementaryIn this week’s episode, we discuss the weapon used by the school shooter in Uvalde and new details that highlight how fear of the gun contributed to the botched police response.
‘He has a battle rifle’: Police feared Uvalde gunman’s AR-15
Read full article: ‘He has a battle rifle’: Police feared Uvalde gunman’s AR-15In previously unreleased interviews, police who responded to the Robb Elementary shooting told investigators they were cowed by the shooter’s military-style rifle. This drove their decision to wait for a Border Patrol SWAT team to engage him, which took more than an hour.
Texas Senate passes first bill this session, a bipartisan effort to close teen gun loophole
Read full article: Texas Senate passes first bill this session, a bipartisan effort to close teen gun loopholeIn its first bill passed this session, the Texas Senate sought to ensure juvenile mental health hospitalizations are reported to the federal firearm background check system.
Biden rule reclassifying some pistols as short-barreled rifles draws Texas lawsuit
Read full article: Biden rule reclassifying some pistols as short-barreled rifles draws Texas lawsuitThe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives amended a rule that classifies guns with “stabilized braces” as rifles, which are subject to different regulations, triggering the objection of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gun Owners of America.
Conroe brewery receives flood of threats, harassment after canceling Kyle Rittenhouse event
Read full article: Conroe brewery receives flood of threats, harassment after canceling Kyle Rittenhouse eventThe CEO of Southern Star Brewery said the cancellation was prompted primarily by concerns from local patrons rather than pressure from a “woke mob” or distributors such as H-E-B.
Federal judge in Texas rules that disarming those under protective orders violates their Second Amendment rights
Read full article: Federal judge in Texas rules that disarming those under protective orders violates their Second Amendment rightsU.S. District Judge David Counts signed another opinion Thursday that cited a lack of historical record on laws relating to domestic violence to justify disarming abusers. Advocates fear the ruling will put more victims in harm’s way.
Panic buttons, automatic locks and bulletproof windows top the proposed safety rules after Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Panic buttons, automatic locks and bulletproof windows top the proposed safety rules after Uvalde shootingThese proposed requirements could take effect this school year after the Texas Education Agency takes public comment into consideration.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan rules out raising the minimum age to buy a firearm
Read full article: Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan rules out raising the minimum age to buy a firearmAt the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, the Texas House speaker also signaled willingness to consider exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.
Texas judge rules that people under felony indictment have the right to buy guns under the Second Amendment
Read full article: Texas judge rules that people under felony indictment have the right to buy guns under the Second AmendmentA judge appointed by former President Donald Trump based his decision on a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down New York’s concealed carry law.
Not so fast: Greg Abbott, Texas Republicans face a complex election landscape after abortion ruling, Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Not so fast: Greg Abbott, Texas Republicans face a complex election landscape after abortion ruling, Uvalde shootingBoth Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke hope to define the election on issues viewed as favorable to their own parties.
Gun rights advocates believe more citizens should be trained to use guns for self-defense during crimes after Indiana shooting
Read full article: Gun rights advocates believe more citizens should be trained to use guns for self-defense during crimes after Indiana shootingGun rights advocate, CJ Grisham says two separate incidents over a thousand miles apart are proof the ‘good guy with a gun’ trope is true.
John Cornyn’s disapproval among Texas voters worsened dramatically as he negotiated a bipartisan gun bill, new poll shows
Read full article: John Cornyn’s disapproval among Texas voters worsened dramatically as he negotiated a bipartisan gun bill, new poll showsThe Republican U.S. senator shepherded landmark gun legislation through the Senate last month. Between April and June, his disapproval rating went from 39% to 50%, according to a Texas Politics Project poll.
How John Cornyn and the U.S. Senate defied 26 years of inaction to tackle gun violence
Read full article: How John Cornyn and the U.S. Senate defied 26 years of inaction to tackle gun violenceFour senators, including Cornyn, used a distinctive combination of policy expertise, legislative experience and political courage to push past obstacles that had repeatedly stymied previous attempts at compromise.
Texas congressman Tony Gonzales, who represents Uvalde, breaks with House Republicans to vote for gun bill
Read full article: Texas congressman Tony Gonzales, who represents Uvalde, breaks with House Republicans to vote for gun billThe U.S. House passed the legislation Friday afternoon. Nearly all Texas Republicans voted against it. The bill is widely viewed as a series of modest changes to current gun regulations, falling far short of proposals pushed by House Democrats and President Joe Biden.
Texas Senate Democrats call again for a special session on gun safety in response to Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Texas Senate Democrats call again for a special session on gun safety in response to Uvalde shootingThe senators said they would support proposals like raising the age to legally own an assault weapon from 18 to 21, creating red flag laws and regulating private gun sales.
U.S. senators reach deal on gun legislation in aftermath of Uvalde shooting
Read full article: U.S. senators reach deal on gun legislation in aftermath of Uvalde shootingSen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was one of the lead negotiators for the proposal, which would expand background checks for people under 21 and encourage states to enact “red flag” laws. President Joe Biden and House Democrats had wanted to go further.
Protesters across U.S. and Texas join March for Our Lives rallies against gun violence
Read full article: Protesters across U.S. and Texas join March for Our Lives rallies against gun violenceOutside the Capitol in Austin, relatives of Jackie Cazares, 9, and Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10, two of the 19 students killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, tearfully addressed a crowd.
Texas Republicans want to arm more school employees, but few districts are opting in
Read full article: Texas Republicans want to arm more school employees, but few districts are opting inSince Texas launched the school marshal program in 2013, just 84 school districts out of more than 1,200 have armed school staff. Educators say the program’s lack of popularity shows that teachers don’t want to be the ones to defend schools from mass shootings.
Texas politicians search for solutions after another mass shooting. Experts say we’ve already found them.
Read full article: Texas politicians search for solutions after another mass shooting. Experts say we’ve already found them.In arguing over causes of the latest mass shooting, political debate often overlooks the range of incremental steps that could lessen the chances of mass killing and help address the nation’s persistent gun violence.
Some Texas GOP donors urge Congress to act on gun control measures like “red flag” laws, expanded background checks
Read full article: Some Texas GOP donors urge Congress to act on gun control measures like “red flag” laws, expanded background checksMore than 250 self-declared gun enthusiasts, including donors who have contributed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaigns, have signed on to an open letter supporting Sen. John Cornyn’s efforts at bipartisan gun reform legislation.
Partisan tensions flare among Texans in congressional gun hearing
Read full article: Partisan tensions flare among Texans in congressional gun hearingHouse Democrats are combining several gun policy bills into one large package known as the Protecting our Kids Act. Among the measures in the bill: raising the age to purchase semi-automatic weapons to 21; outlawing the sale, manufacture, transfer or possession of a large-capacity magazine; and creating tax breaks for purchasing proper gun storage equipment.
Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde, says it’s a “slap in the face” to be left off committee responding to shooting
Read full article: Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde, says it’s a “slap in the face” to be left off committee responding to shootingGutierrez, a Democrat who has been critical of the state’s response to past shootings, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also snubbed state senators whose districts were affected by shootings in El Paso and Santa Fe.
Gun ownership is ingrained in Uvalde’s culture. Some here are rethinking how it should be regulated.
Read full article: Gun ownership is ingrained in Uvalde’s culture. Some here are rethinking how it should be regulated.Longtime Uvalde residents say the city is a hunting mecca and the love for guns goes right along with it. But some would now support measures like raising the age limit to buy AR-style weapons or monitoring high-volume ammunition purchases.
Beto O’Rourke renews calls for tougher gun laws after Uvalde shooting, including on assault weapons
Read full article: Beto O’Rourke renews calls for tougher gun laws after Uvalde shooting, including on assault weaponsO’Rourke became known on the presidential campaign trail for his “Hell yes” promise to ban assault weapons. He’s been less vocal about the policy in his run for governor but this week, after the school shooting in Uvalde, he’s been newly assertive about the issue.
After another mass shooting, Texas Democrats again push for gun control measures
Read full article: After another mass shooting, Texas Democrats again push for gun control measuresThe question moving forward is whether Democrats, outnumbered in the Texas Legislature for two decades, will be able to put enough pressure on lawmakers to move on a previously intractable issue in gun-friendly Texas and that Republicans, who support looser gun laws, will fight tooth and nail.
A gun and a prayer: How the far right took control of Texas’ response to mass shootings
Read full article: A gun and a prayer: How the far right took control of Texas’ response to mass shootingsThe “God-given right” to self-defense has become a rallying cry in Texas politics, further cementing gun ownership as a holy cause and political identity. The state’s Republican leadership has spent decades carrying the banner.
Uvalde gunman legally bought AR rifles days before shooting, law enforcement says
Read full article: Uvalde gunman legally bought AR rifles days before shooting, law enforcement saysHe brought only one of the rifles with him into the elementary school, according to the briefing. The other was left in a truck he crashed nearby.
Confronted with mass shootings, Texas Republicans have repeatedly loosened gun laws
Read full article: Confronted with mass shootings, Texas Republicans have repeatedly loosened gun lawsGov. Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders signaled an openness to some gun restrictions after recent mass shootings. But in the last several years, lawmakers have eased gun laws, most notably by passing a permitless carry bill last year.
More Texas voters unhappy than satisfied over power grid, abortion and property taxes, UT/TT Poll finds
Read full article: More Texas voters unhappy than satisfied over power grid, abortion and property taxes, UT/TT Poll findsMost voters approve of using state money to add border barriers between Texas and Mexico. But 57% disapprove of a new abortion law’s provision allowing lawsuits against people who help someone get the procedure.
Abortion providers and gun rights advocates are “strange bedfellows” in fight to strike down Texas’ new abortion law
Read full article: Abortion providers and gun rights advocates are “strange bedfellows” in fight to strike down Texas’ new abortion lawA gun rights group filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in opposition to Texas’ abortion law, fearful that similar statutes could be crafted in other states to target gun ownership.
Texas lawmaker defends new permitless carry law against criticism from gun control advocate
Read full article: Texas lawmaker defends new permitless carry law against criticism from gun control advocateThe law that went into effect Sept. 1 allows anyone 21 years or older to carry a handgun in public without need for a permit or training.
Abortion ban, permitless carry, elections bill: The week that solidified Texas' hard right turn after the 2020 election
Read full article: Abortion ban, permitless carry, elections bill: The week that solidified Texas' hard right turn after the 2020 electionTexas’ new near-total abortion ban, one of the most restrictive in the nation, punctuated a week that brought into stunning relief just how far the state’s political pendulum has swung to the right since the 2020 election.
Texas House, Senate strike compromise on bill legalizing permitless carry of handguns
Read full article: Texas House, Senate strike compromise on bill legalizing permitless carry of handgunsThe agreement advances the legislation even closer to becoming law. Abbott has said he will sign such a proposal.