The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, today released the following statements after reports of a shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington. Police have reportedly confirmed multiple victims. Details are still developing.
“Our hearts break for the Timberview High School community and for every student, teacher, and staff member who has to go to school with gun violence on their minds because lawmakers and local officials haven’t done enough to combat it,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “We can’t continue to let back-to-school mean back to school shootings – we need action at every level to address these tragedies before they happen.”
“My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this devastating shooting,” said Wesley Lawrence, a volunteer with El Paso Students Demand Action. “Students like me shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence in schools, or anywhere else. Tragedies like this will keep happening unless our lawmakers and local leaders step up to the plate and do something about it.”
This shooting continues an increase in back-to-school gun violence. In fact, between August 1 and September 15 this year, there have been 30 instances of gunfire on school grounds, killing five and wounding 23. That is the most instances and people shot in that back-to-school period since Everytown started tracking gunfire on school grounds in 2013.
In an average year, 3,455 people die by guns in Texas, and 9,173 are wounded. Firearms are the second leading cause of death among children and teens in Texas. Despite this, earlier this year, Texas lawmakers further weakened the state’s gun laws by passing a permitless carry bill allowing people to carry loaded handguns in public with no background check and no safety training over the objections of law enforcement, faith leaders, medical professionals, and more.
Everytown’s fact sheet on proactive measures to prevent gun violence in schools is available here.
