AUSTIN, Texas — A seemingly endless cry to curb gun violence in Texas echoed on the Capitol grounds Thursday as a crowd chanted for lawmakers to put away “thoughts and prayers” and enact change.
Gun safety advocates stood alongside families of victims of the Uvalde school shooting as they shared stories and their purpose to continue the long-standing fight. T-shirts with names and messages of those who lost lives to gun violence were used as a backdrop.
Mireya Rodriguez a survivor of the 2023 Allen mall mass shooting, recounted her experience and declared that her “second chance” at life would be to “make a difference in the world.” Nine people, including the gunman, died that fateful day. Rodriguez said her friend was among the victims.
Kim Rubio, who has been a relentless advocate following the death of her daughter at Robb Elementary School, said she supports the bill recently filed by Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), which would raise the age requirement to purchase semi-automatic weapons such as AR-15s to 21 years old.
“If this bill had been law in May of 2022, 19 children and two teachers would still be with us today,” Rubio said.
Gutierrez has represented Uvalde families since the mass shooting. The senator also filed two other bills that would allow a judge to temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed to be a danger to themselves, or others, and prohibit the creation of 3D gun prints.
Gutierrez reiterated the message alongside families after the rally to break down the bills and the ongoing fight needed at the state level.
During the last legislative session in 2023, Gutierrez filed 21 bills in honor of the 21 victims at Robb Elementary, which aimed at reducing gun violence. However, none passed.
“Policymakers in [the Capitol] need to know that this will happen to someone that they love,” Gutierrez said.
Brett Cross, another parent who list their child, echoed that sentiment.
“I don’t care how many times we get told no, we will continue to come back because, unlike these representatives in our government, we actually care about children,” Cross said. “No matter what we say or do, we can never bring our kids back. But we can help protect other kids.”
Miriam Sharma with Moms Demand Action said that all anyone can do is keep pushing the message and show up.
“I’m absolutely willing to be vulnerable, share my story and ask them to please take some small actions,” Sharma said.
