AUSTIN, Texas  — For more than a year, families impacted by the Uvalde massacre and other gun safety advocates have frequently traveled to the Texas Capitol. They called on lawmakers to raise the age to purchase an assault-style rifle from 18 to 21. The gunman in Uvalde purchased two AR-15s as soon as he turned 18.

Republican representatives Justin Holland of Rockwall and Sam Harless of Spring sided with Democrats to advance the so-called raise-the-age bill out of committee. It was a brief moment of relief for the Uvalde families, but the bill didn’t go any further because there wasn’t enough Republican support.

“We’re glad that bill died,” said Wes Virdell, the Texas State director for Gun Owners of America (GOA). “Thankfully, a lot of GOA members and a lot of other activists across the state got engaged with the Legislature that day when those two Republicans had voted for that bill to get it out of committee. And thankfully, I think they got the message loud and clear that that is not something we're OK with.” 

Democrats also filed bills that would have created red flag laws, implemented safe gun storage requirements and mandated licensed sellers to report multiple semi-automatic weapon purchases to law enforcement. None of these bills made it far in the legislative process. 

“We don't think that those are actually going to stop the shootings. We do think that there is a serious mental health issue here in the country right now,” Virdell said. 

While one gun safety expert says she had realistic expectations for the Republican-led Legislature, it’s still disappointing that the bills didn’t move. And, she says, it especially stings with the raise-the-age bill. 

“It was emotionally very difficult to accept,” said Nicole Golden, executive director of Texas Gun Sense. “I don't think any of us should accept that our state leaders couldn't come together to pass a very moderate measure that would have prevented the shooting in Uvalde and could prevent future shootings in our schools and communities. So while that was very difficult to process, at the same time, I still really do feel totally inspired by the work that we did to move it as far as we did with that bipartisan committee vote, which was really historic in so many ways.” 

Golden celebrates that certain bills at least got hearings, and she is proud that an amendment was added to a school safety bill that will provide safe gun storage information to parents of schoolchildren.

“The Legislature passed SB 728, a bipartisan bill filed by Republicans in the House and the Senate to require better reporting in line with federal guidelines of mental health records for youth aged 16 to 18, and to prevent possession of firearms in cases where there may be a documented, dangerous history. That passed, so I think we should all be very proud of that and the bipartisan effort there,” Golden said.

Golden added there’s a lot of momentum to build on for the next regular legislative session, which will begin in January 2025. And, she says she and others will likely push for the raise-the-age bill again.

“I suspect that a lot of organizations, not only ours, will want to take it up again, and I suspect that the survivors from Uvalde will want to keep fighting,” Golden said. “We said we would support them as long as it took, and we will.”

Instead of tightening laws on gun purchases, the Legislature made it easier, giving gun owners more access and freedom, such as putting in roadblocks so credit card companies will be deterred from tracking firearm purchases, allowing district clerks to carry guns to work and prohibiting local municipalities from requiring firearm liability insurance.

"I think that having liability insurance is great," Virdell said. "We have insurance on a lot of things. But I think what we're against is the government mandating that you have to have that insurance." 

Within the the big school safety bill was a provision requiring schools to have at least one armed security guard on campus.

“Going into session, we were told not to expect really anything, that we're just trying to break even this session because of the Uvalde shooting and some other things,” Virdell said. “Anyways, we ended up getting five bills passed. So I would say that's a pretty big win compared to what we were expecting, and all the bills that we were opposed to ended up getting blocked.” 

While Republicans focused on increasing school security and expanding mental health care resources during the regular session, those impacted by gun violence say they’ll never stop asking lawmakers for stronger gun laws in Texas.

“Lawmakers that are weakening our gun laws are totally out of step with public opinion and with what really works to improve public safety. We know polls are really high among a broad swath of Texans for common-sense gun laws, not weakening our standards. But the truth is, we defeated most of those bills…bills, for example, that would arm elections judges or allow open carry of school marshals. We're really proud of fighting those in Texas. You have to play a strong defense game, and that is another way you show your success and your progress.” 

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