Texas

Texas senator announces legislation aimed at preventing mass shootings like Uvalde

February 7, 2023

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Legislation aimed at preventing mass shootings and memorializing victims was introduced in the Texas Senate on Tuesday afternoon.

Sen. Roland Gutierrez announced a package of bills Tuesday.


Related: Texas senator introduces new Uvalde-related legislation

The bills aim to fix radio interoperability in rural counties, increase school safety, improve emergency response protocols between state and local public safety entities, and create a monument to mass shooting victims in the Texas State Cemetery, according to a press release from Gutierrez’s office.

Gutierrez said in the press conference Tuesday said not one radio worked inside the building the day of the Uvalde shooting.

“Absolute and utter failure,” he said.

As part of the legislation, Gutierrez asked for funds toward a radio inoperability program.

Additionally, he asked for an appropriation request Tuesday for $2 billion to expand mental health care access in rural communities.

“We’re also asking for $2 billion for school hardening perspectives,” Gutierrez said. “What that means is doors, bullet proof glass, fencing, the kind of technology that is required in these types of schools.”

This is the second release of several expected packages of Uvalde legislation.

On Tuesday, families of victims from Texas mass shootings, like Santa Fe and Uvalde, stood behind Gutierrez during the press conference.

“These people have become my friends,” He said. “This is personal to me. These people deserve more than what they got. Their little babies deserved more than what they got. We just gotta do something, man.”

Two weeks ago, Sen. Gutierrez released legislation that focuses on increasing state and local accountability, removing qualified immunity, and providing compensation for affected survivors and families.

 

A memorial for the 19 children and two teachers killed in the May shooting sits outside of Robb Elementary on the first day of early voting, Monday, Oct. 24,…

A memorial for the 19 children and two teachers killed in the May shooting sits outside of Robb Elementary on the first day of early voting, Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. The Uvalde school massacre has cast a long shadow in the midterm elections in Texas, intensifying Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s reelection fight against Democrat Beto O’Rourke and driving a blitz of television ads. (AP Photo/Acacia Coronado)

by: Abigail Jones

Posted: Feb 7, 2023 / 02:23 PM CST

Updated: Feb 7, 2023 / 03:14 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Legislation aimed at preventing mass shootings and memorializing victims will be introduced in the Texas Senate on Tuesday afternoon.

Sen. Roland Gutierrez will announce a package of bills at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.


Related: Texas senator introduces new Uvalde-related legislation

The bills aim to fix radio interoperability in rural counties, increase school safety, improve emergency response protocols between state and local public safety entities, and create a monument to mass shooting victims in the Texas State Cemetery, according to a press release from Gutierrez’s office.

Additionally, Gutierrez will make an appropriations request to provide funding for safety measures in schools and mental healthcare.

This is the second release of several expected packages of Uvalde legislation.

Two weeks ago, Sen. Gutierrez released legislation that focuses on increasing state and local accountability, removing qualified immunity, and providing compensation for affected survivors and families.  

The press conference will be livestreamed on the Texas Senate video page and in the video player at the top of this page.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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