In case you missed it, on Saturday, August 27th, members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus attended the “Raise the Age” rally at the Texas Capitol hosted by March for Our Lives. During the event, participants demanded Gov. Abbott immediately call a special session of the legislature to pass much-needed gun safety legislation, including raising the minimum age to purchase an automatic rifle from 18 to 21.

Many family members of the victims of the Robb Elementary shooting were in attendance, sharing the stories of their loved ones in hopes that the governor would finally support gun safety legislation. They spoke of shattered hopes, lost dreams and memories of the victims, demanding action on behalf of those they lost. 

Rep. Tracy King (D-Batesville), who represents Uvalde, was in attendance at the rally, alongside Representatives Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin), Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), Donna Howard (D-Austin), Celia Israel (D-Austin) and James Talarico (D-Round Rock).

On June 23, 2022, 58 Texas House Democrats sent a letter to Gov. Abbott asking him to call a special session to pass critical gun-safety legislation, such as enacting extreme risk protective order laws, closing background check loopholes, requiring stolen guns to be reported to law enforcement and raising the purchasing age for assault weapons to 21. Passing gun safety legislation remains a priority of the Texas House Democratic Caucus moving into the next session.