For the first time in a generation, Texans were more likely to die of gunshot wounds than car crashes in 2021. Experts worry a lack of research on the issue has hampered the search for solutions.
Guns in Texas
Many Texans — and their elected leaders — are fiercely protective of the constitutional right to own guns. The state is a leader in firearm sales even though the rate of Texans who own guns has declined. While mass shootings repeatedly renew calls for some gun restrictions, Texas lawmakers have continuously made it easier to access guns. Meanwhile, the number of people who die from gunshots in Texas has reached a level not seen since the 1990s.
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Guns in Texas
“It’s hell”: Surge of Texas kids dying from gun violence carves canyons of grief through families
In 2012, around 100 Texans under 18 died of gunshot wounds. Last year, that number reached nearly 300.
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Guns in Texas
Texans do not need a license to carry, but some gun owners still want one
Since the permitless carry law passed in 2021, Texans have not needed a license to carry a gun. But gun instructors and some gun owners still see the benefits in taking the classes necessary to obtain a license.
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Texas Legislature 2023
New school safety laws seek to add armed guards, chaplains and mental health training. Here’s what you need to know.
Experts say many of the changes will bolster school safety but some requirements may be challenging for public schools to implement by the upcoming school year with limited funding and staffing constraints.
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El Paso shooting
“I want them to haunt you”: Man who killed 23 at El Paso Walmart hears from victims’ families
During the gunman’s sentencing, relatives of those killed nearly four years ago are telling him how he upended their lives.
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Guns in Texas
Texas lawmakers closed a background check loophole, but many gun measures failed to pass
Legislators passed a bill that requires courts to report certain involuntary mental health hospitalizations to the federal gun background check system. Many other measures that could restrict firearm access got little traction.
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Guns in Texas
Mandatory 10-year sentences for some crimes involving guns revived by Texas Senate
The idea appeared to die in the Texas House over the weekend, but senators kept it alive by grafting the proposal on to another piece of legislation.
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Guns in Texas
Gun safety advocates see signs of progress in first session after Uvalde shooting even though raise-the-age bill stalled
Emotions often ran high over a proposal to limit young adults’ access to some firearms. Lawmakers have largely prioritized school safety measures, but there was still progress for some gun-related legislation.
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Guns in Texas
Texas just closed a critical gun background check loophole
State lawmakers passed a bill requiring courts to report involuntary mental health hospitalizations of juveniles for inclusion in the federal gun background check system. The law closes a gap revealed by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune in 2022.
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Guns in Texas
Greg Abbott says to stop mass shootings, Texas must improve mental health care. A $25 billion investment hasn’t been enough.
Texas still lags nationally when it comes to mental health services and there have been seven mass shootings since Abbott took office in 2015.