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Texas Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond to Shooting in Levelland

7.16.2021

Four Officers Were Shot, One Fatally, in the Line of Duty During a Standoff in Levelland

In June, Governor Abbott Signed Permitless Carry Legislation, Ignoring Law Enforcement Objections

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement after Sgt. Josh Bartlett was shot and killed and three other officers were shot and wounded in the line of duty during a standoff with an armed suspect in Levelland. 

“Our hearts are with the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” said Christian Bland, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action in Lubbock. “I’m worried that come September 1, permitless carry could put them – and all Texans – in even more danger. And I’m disappointed in our lawmakers who keep saying that they support law enforcement but ignored their objections to permitless when voting for it.” 

Governor Abbott signed HB 1927, permitless carry legislation, in June in the face of widespread law enforcement opposition. HB 1927 will strip the state of essential permitting and training standards for carrying handguns in public. The bill will allow people to carry loaded handguns in public without a background check or any safety training, dismantling the culture of responsible gun ownership that Texas’s License to Carry (LTC) helps promote.