Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released the following statement after a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas left at least 21 people dead. 

“My heart is aching for the families and community in Uvalde, and I join people across the country who are mourning the brutal and senseless killing of at least 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Across the state and across the country, parents, teachers, and children are again asking why this has happened and what we can do to make our communities safer.  Texans and Americans deserve meaningful answers to those questions and action to keep our schools and communities safe.

“I urge our Texas Senators to vote for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 8, and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 1446, two bills that the House of Representatives passed last year, when they are brought to the Senate floor,” the Congresswoman continued.  “As a representative for concerned Texans, I am confident that these background check bills are entirely consistent with our Texas values and traditions, and have broad support in our state.  This common-sense legislation is an important tool to keep our fellow Texans and fellow Americans safe.

“There is much more work to do, including passing additional meaningful, common-sense, data-driven gun safety legislation and addressing the root causes of violence plaguing our communities,” the Congresswoman continued.  “As Americans, we must do better by and for each other.”

Last March, Congresswoman Fletcher co-sponsored and voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 8, to require universal background checks and close the loopholes in national background check systems that enable domestic abusers and convicted felons to purchase guns.  She also voted to pass the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 1446, which would close the Charleston Loophole, a federal law that allows gun purchases to move forward by default after three business days even if a background check has not been completed.  Congresswoman Fletcher is also a co-sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2021, H.R. 1808.