Everytown, Texas Moms Respond to Implementation of Guns on Campus Law on 50th Anniversary of UT Tower Mass Shooting

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released a statement in response to the implementation of the state’s guns on campus law on the 50th anniversary of the mass shooting at the University of Texas at Austin that killed 14 and wounded more than 30 people. The guns on campus law, passed in 2015 and which goes into effect today, forces Texas’ public colleges and universities to allow people to carry concealed handguns on campus. At some institutions guns will also be allowed in classrooms and dorms.

STATEMENT FROM ALEXANDRA CHASSE, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE TEXAS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA AND A UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR:

“It is disturbing to witness the new guns on campus law go into effect on the anniversary of one of the deadliest school mass shootings in American history. The 50th anniversary of the UT Tower shooting is a somber reminder that allowing guns on campus endangers students, faculty and staff. The implementation of this dangerous law on this anniversary is yet another example of tone-deaf Texas lawmakers kowtowing to the gun lobby and ignoring the safety and concerns of the majority of Texans including faculty, staff, campus police and students. Last year, the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action stood with police chiefs, campus shooting survivors, students, faculty and the 72 percent of Texans who believe college students should not be able to bring concealed handguns to class in urging Texas lawmakers to oppose guns on campus. This runs contrary to the learning environment we want for our Texas colleges. Texas Moms will continue to fight for the voices of our students, campus communities and all Texans to be heard – the safety of our state depends on it.”