AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — Friday, May 24, 2024, marked two years since a heavily armed 18-year-old burst into Robb Elementary in Uvalde, killing 19 children and two adults. Families of the victims will mark the day by gathering for a memorial vigil at the Uvalde Amphitheater.
Survivors of the Uvalde shooting victims became a familiar sight at the state capitol over the last two years. With Republicans in firm control of both the State House and Texas Senate, gun legislation is not popular here. But the Uvalde families want Texas to raise the legal age to purchase high-power weapons to 21.
In their testimony here at the State Capitol in the last session, they noted that the shooter in Uvalde had just turned 18 when he purchased the two guns and ammo he used in their school shooting. They added, that's the same minimum age in Texas to legally purchase Superglue.
The Uvalde parents are also turning to the courts to force change they believe will make schools safer. This week, the parents announced they're suing the Texas Department of Public Safety and the officers they sent to respond to the mass shooting in Uvalde. But they also just announced they are settling their lawsuit against the City of Uvalde for just $2 million, saying they didn't want to bankrupt the city with legal costs.
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Attorney Josh Koskoff representing family members says, “The last thing they would want to do was to inflict any financial hardship on their friends and neighbors in this community. Their friends and neighbors did not let them down.”
Javier Cazares, father of Jackie Cazares chimed in, “I cannot emphasize this enough. It’s not about the money."
Families of the shooting victims are expected to return to the Texas Capitol in January for the next regular legislative session starts. Still, gun reform is not among the legislative priorities announced so far.
But the Uvalde families are claiming some success at home. Their recent settlement with the City of Uvalde does include improved active shooter training for their local police.
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