Austin City Council passes a resolution, demanding federal and state leaders to enact stricter gun control laws, following the deadly mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio.
Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler said while the hearts of many are broken in Austin following the mass shootings last weekend, he says the overwhelming emotion is anger. “Ultimately the power to change things, resides with our state leadership, and out national leadership, and the Senate, and then the White House. Because that is where the inaction is happening.” Mayor Alder said cities are uniting in their frustration following yet another mass shooting which is shining a light on just who is failing to act.
As Austin City Councilmember Leslie Pool looked looks at some conservative leaders’ calls for a Mental Health revamp, she believes that’s not enough. “That should be a focal point of any society. But too often this is used as a talking point by the hard right, to avoid taking necessary steps on gun control. We absolutely need to do both.”
Councilmember Alison Alter said like many parents this matter hits close to home. “I’ve heald my breath when my 16-year-old daughter stepped out of my car in the school parking lot.” The council member began to tear up as she said, “This spring I had to figure out how to let go after an active shooter threat at her high school here in Austin.”
Alter said she is learning how to talk to her kids about the fact that the way Texas gun laws are today, the next school shooting could be at theirs.
The resolution passed unanimously during Thursday’s council session.
(Photo:Shutterstock/Roschetzky Photography)
