Reportage
United States: after the massacre in Texas, the debate around gun legislation resurfaces
Audio 01:36
Crosses in tribute to the victims of the massacre in the elementary school of Uvalde in Texas, May 26, 2022. © Jae C. Hong/AP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The gun law debate resurfaces after the Texas shooting.
But, in a state like this, one of the most committed to the Second Amendment of the Constitution which guarantees the right to carry a weapon in the United States, some families of victims want to remain armed.
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With our special correspondent in Uvalde,
David Thomson
Jesse Ortiz, 50, lives across from Uvalde Primary School.
It was there that he himself was educated as a child, like his son later and his granddaughter today.
During the killing, this one was inside.
When his grandfather heard the first shots.
He understood immediately.
And he walked out with his gun in his hand.
“
I stood outside my door with my pistol.
I saw several parents coming to pick up their child with their guns in the street.
They couldn't use them.
The police did not let them in.
»
Killed by an AR-15 assault rifle bought on the internet
His granddaughter was eventually rescued, but his stepdaughter's little sister - aged 10 - was killed by an AR-15 assault rifle purchased online by the 18-year-old killer.
Not enough to question Jesse's position on firearms.
“
It's Texas, here everyone is armed.
A member of the NRA, the powerful gun lobby, he has always defended the right to carry a gun in the United States.
And according to him, the best way to fight against mass killings would be to arm teachers: “
We need more weapons.
Teachers and administrative staff must be armed and trained.
Because they are the ones on the front line to defend children.
»
In the evening, like hundreds of other residents of Uvalde, Jesse participated in the vigil in memory of the 21 victims.
Some of the families were there too, seated alongside Governor Greg Abott and Senator Ted Cruz.
They are two of the strongest opponents of any reform of gun laws in the United States.
♦ The NRA Congress, three days after the massacre
Three days after the massacre of 19 children between the ages of 8 and 10 and two teachers by an 18-year-old boy armed with an assault rifle, the annual congress of the powerful arms lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Texas, 4h30 by road from there.
The day after the massacre, former President Donald Trump refused to cancel his intervention.
Other personalities are also expected such as Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Greg Abbott, Texas No. 2 and the Attorney General, all dubbed by the former president.
The NRA, urged by all elected Democrats to postpone this event out of respect for the 21 victims, also refused to cancel the meeting.
The National Rifle Association expects 50,000 members and all gun manufacturers.
All except the company Daniel Defense, manufacturer of the weapon used by the shooter Salvador Romas.
Their stand on nearly 6 hectares of weapons and materials, as the NRA advertises, will be empty.
On the side, absentees having found conflicting agendas at the last moment, the other senator from Texas, John Cornyn decided Thursday that he would not participate being for personal reasons in Washington.
Rising star of the Republican Party, veteran Dan Crenshaw will be kicked off in Ukraine on Friday.
Two country artists also canceled their participation, Larry Gatlin and Don McLean.
A rally is scheduled for Saturday in front of the convention center.
Among the protesters, the mayor of Houston, but also Beto O'Rourke, who had already interrupted the Texas governor's press conference on Wednesday, accusing him of having done nothing since the last attack on a school in Texas.
We are expecting a lot of people.
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United States
Crime