School is back in session in Texas and many parents are concerned about the safety of their children. State Representative Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) is the son of teachers holds himself up as a strong supporter of schools, but his record in the Texas Legislature says otherwise.
Despite the horrific shooting a few months ago at Santa Fe High School that left 10 dead, politicians have done a lot of talking and little to protect our kids, teachers and schools. Governor Greg Abbott has held roundtables and a Senate school safety committee recently released a report, but that’s about it.
Ron Simmons, who served on the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, has consistently voted for legislation that has increased the risk of violence at school. Some of the bills Simmons voted in favor for include:
- SB 16, which reduces for new and renewal licenses to carry a handgun;
- Co-authored HB 972, which allows concealed handguns on higher education campuses;
- SB 864, reducing the required hours for concealed handgun license training.
- Simmons even voted against common-sense seat belt legislation to ensure the safe transportation of Texas school children to and from school.
The pattern after school shootings in America is upsettingly clear and consistent. Politicians offer thoughts and prayers. They pledge that they will do whatever they can to ensure that this will “never happen again,” but public focus on the incident inevitably fades, and nothing changes. Ron Simmons has proven to be just another enabler of the status quo.
