There is still a great deal yet to be known about today’s active shooter incident at Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the shooting occurred during a classroom fight. Four people were injured and the suspect is now in custody.
But one thing has become painfully, agonizingly clear: What our leaders are doing to address gun violence is not working. We have almost become numb to the regularity of wanton gun violence, even in our schools. Yet Texas leaders continue down the same, worn path of deregulation and “permitless carry,” as if more guns, easier access, and less training will improve the situation.
Following the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting that left 10 dead, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and then-House speaker state Rep. Dennis Bonnen all converged on the small town and promised action. Their solution? The Texas Legislature passed several bills to address mental health care for students. These are worthy initiatives that merit funding, but today’s event underscores the fact that their actions haven’t made students safer.
In the days to come, we’ll be watching to see what solutions Texas’ GOP leadership offers to this gun violence epidemic.