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Texas Republicans are intensifying their opposition to gun control legislation following a tragic mass shooting at an Allen outlet mall on Saturday that claimed the lives of eight individuals.
On Saturday afternoon, a shooter armed with an AR-15-style weapon began firing at shoppers in a suburb located 25 miles north of Dallas. Tragically, eight individuals lost their lives and at least seven others sustained injuries. The incident came to a halt as a police officer, who happened to be present at the scene, fatally shot the gunman.
The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the gunman as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia. Investigators have been searching a nearby motel at which the suspect had been staying and a home in the Dallas area connected to the suspect. The city of Allen said Sunday that the Texas Department of Public Safety would lead the investigation into the shooting going forward.
In an interview Sunday, Fox News presented Gov. Greg Abbott with a poll that showed Americans overwhelmingly favored background checks and raising the minimum age to buy firearms. But the governor shunned gun safety options in Texas and instead pointed to the need to increase mental health funding.
Abbott emphasized our commitment to tackling the anger and violence by directly addressing its underlying cause – the mental health problems. He acknowledged the desire for immediate solutions but stressed the importance of focusing on the long-term resolution, which lies in effectively addressing the mental health issue.
There has been no public indication from investigators that mental illness played a role in the shooting Saturday, but WFAA reported, citing unnamed sources, that the gunman was removed from the U.S. Army “due to mental health concerns.” Abbott attended a vigil at Cottonwood Creek Church Allen on Sunday.
U.S. Rep. Keith Self, a Republican who represents Allen, also emphasized mental health as a solution to gun violence. In an interview with CNN, Self said “many of these situations are based on” the closures of mental health institutions.
Republican leaders in Texas and across the nation often focus on mental illness after mass shootings. But mental health experts argue this lets lawmakers avoid talking about other issues related to gun violence and further stigmatizes people with mental health issues.
As Texas lawmakers continue to grapple with demands for gun safety legislation, the recent shooting incident in Allen adds urgency to the matter. However, endeavors to regulate firearm access have proven to be challenging during this legislative session. A proposal supported by the families of the Uvalde school shooting victims to increase the minimum age for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21 is expected to fall short of passing out of a House committee by the Monday deadline.
On Sunday, near the mall, an individual held up a sign displaying an image of an AR-style rifle along with the words, “Well-regulated militia murders 8 people in Allen.” Meanwhile, shoppers who had been stuck at the mall the day before patiently waited outside to reclaim their vehicles from the parking lot, as law enforcement officials continued their investigation.
Lawmakers on one side of the aisle focus on the weapon used by the gunman, while Texas Republicans bring up mental illness in response to the Allen shooting.
Before the end of this month, the Texas Democratic Party urged the state Legislature to pass gun safety measures, including background checks without any private sale exemptions and an increase in the minimum age for firearm purchase to 21, before adjourning.
The statement emphasized its support for the Second Amendment while expressing the belief that preserving Texas’ longstanding tradition of responsible gun ownership for self-defense, hunting, and recreation necessitates preventing firearms from falling into the possession of criminals and individuals considered a threat to themselves and society.
A little after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a gunman stepped out of a gray car outside Allen Premium Outlets and began shooting at shoppers on the sidewalk. Of the seven injured, three were still in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon, according to Medical City Healthcare. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims but have asked witnesses or those with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI and to share photos or video of the incident at fbi.gov/allenmallshooting.
President Joe Biden confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the shooter was clad in tactical gear and employed an assault weapon resembling an AR-15 to perpetrate the attack.
An AR-15-style weapon was used in 2022 when an 18-year-old gunned down 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Police responding to the Uvalde school shooting said they feared the weapon, which was originally designed for combat.
The aforementioned rifle was utilized during the shooting rampage in the Midland-Odessa area in 2019, perpetuated by a 36-year-old gunman, as well as during the First Baptist Church shooting in Sutherland Springs in 2017, where a 26-year-old gunman unleashed gunfire.
Biden has urged for universal background checks and safe storage of firearms at the federal level. He mentioned that if Congress were to pass a bill with these measures and present it to him, he would waste no time in signing it. Additionally, the president has instructed that flags throughout the nation be flown at half-staff until May 11 as a mark of respect for the shooting victims.
For 24/7 mental health support in English or Spanish, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s free help line at 800-662-4357. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
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