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On May 14, 2023, eight people were killed in a shooting at an outlet mall near Dallas, Texas. In the aftermath of the tragedy, lawmakers and policymakers in Texas are debating the future of gun control in the state. Two days after the shooting, gun control dominated the headlines, with demonstrators at the State Capitol chanting “get older” and “get your job done” as lawmakers headed to their offices.
Since the 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School that killed 10 and injured 13, gun reform advocates have called for raising the age to buy certain semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21. House Bill 2744, which raises the age limit, passed the Community Safety Committee and is now before the House Calendar Committee, a victory for the proponents.
Passage of the bill would be an important step forward for gun reform advocates in Texas. But with about two weeks left in Congress, it remains to be seen whether other steps will be taken to address gun violence in the state.
The outlet mall shooting near Dallas is just one of many incidents of gun violence in Texas and across the country. The debate over gun control has been going on for years, with supporters on both sides of the issue vehemently arguing their positions.
Gun control advocates say more gun control is needed to prevent mass shootings and reduce gun violence. They point to countries like Australia, which enforced strict gun control laws after the 1996 mass shootings and haven’t seen similar incidents since.
Gun control opponents argue that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, and that any attempt to restrict that right is a violation of individual liberty. They also argue that stricter gun control will not prevent criminals from obtaining firearms, it will only disarm law-abiding citizens.
The gun control debate is complex and multifaceted, with no easy solutions. But it’s clear that something needs to be done to address the issue of gun violence in the United States. Whether that means tighter gun laws, more mental health resources, or both remains to be seen.
In the meantime, it is important that lawmakers and citizens alike continue to talk about gun control and work toward finding solutions that keep our communities safe.
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