Texas state lawmaker rejects any new gun restrictions after latest shooting

by Justin Wise - 09/01/19 2:44 PM ET

Texas state Rep. Matt Schaefer (R) late Saturday dismissed calls to implement “so-called gun-control solutions” in the wake of a mass shooting in West Texas, saying that he wouldn’t allow the “evil acts” of a few to suppress state residents’ “God-given rights”

“‘Do something!’ is the statement we keep hearing. As an elected official with a vote in Austin, let me tell you what I am NOT going to do,” Schaefer said in a series of tweets just hours after a shooting in the state left at least seven people dead and several injured.{mosads}

The state lawmaker went on to push back against calls for instituting regulations such as background checks and “red-flag” laws, arguing that “none of these so-called gun-control solutions will work to stop a person with evil intent.”

“I say NO to ‘red flag’ pre-crime laws,” Schaefer added in a separate tweet, referring to the law that would make it easier for law enforcement to identify mentally ill people who should be barred from buying firearms. “NO to universal background checks. NO to bans on AR-15s, or high capacity magazines. NO to mandatory gun buybacks.”

Schaefer instead called for praying for the victims and for protection. He also pushed for prayers that “God would transform the hearts of people with evil intent.”

He concluded his thread by urging citizens to say yes to their “God-given, constitutionally protected rights” and no to “more government intrusions.”

I am NOT going to use the evil acts of a handful of people to diminish the God-given rights of my fellow Texans. Period. None of these so-called gun-control solutions will work to stop a person with evil intent. 2/6

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) September 1, 2019

What can we do? YES to praying for victims. YES to praying for protection. YES to praying that God would transform the hearts of people with evil intent. YES to fathers not leaving their wives and children. YES to discipline in the homes. 4/6

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) September 1, 2019

YES to your God-given, constitutionally protected rights. YES to God, and NO to more government intrusions. 6/6

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) September 1, 2019

The shooting in West Texas on Saturday occurred just weeks after an alleged gunman opened fire in an El Paso, Texas, Walmart and killed 21 people. The incidents have touched off conversations about the regularity of mass shootings in the U.S. and what lawmakers can do to prevent them.

President Trump addressed the latest shooting Sunday, telling reporters that he is in talks with Congress about measures to stem gun violence. He noted that the latest incident “hasn’t changed anything” related to the discussions.

“A lot of people are talking about it, and that’s irrespective of what happened yesterday in Texas,” Trump said.

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said Sunday that the suspect, who was killed after engaging with officers, used an AR-type weapon during the attack. The shooter’s name has not been disclosed.

Tags Donald Trump