Harris, Cornyn mark Uvalde anniversary with opposing views on gun legislation

Vice President Kamala Harris marked the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting Wednesday by calling on Congress to enact more gun safety legislation. But Texas Sen. John Cornyn pointed to what lawmakers have already done.

“In the wake of the shooting, people in Uvalde wanted to ensure this tragedy was not in vain,” Cornyn (R) said in an Austin American-Statesman op-ed Wednesday. “They wanted something good – something productive – to come from it, and I believe it has.”

Cornyn is referring to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which became law last June and is considered to be Congress’ most significant response to mass shootings in nearly 30 years. The measure provides grants for states to implement so-called red flag laws, which allow for the temporary confiscation of firearms from individuals who are deemed threats to themselves or others, as well as other crisis intervention programs.

“Today, my heart goes out to the entire community in Uvalde, especially the victims’ families and the survivors of this tragedy,” Cornyn said. “I hope they can take some solace in knowing that their calls for action were heard and answered.”

Harris, in her own statement Wednesday, acknowledged the bipartisan legislation but urged leaders in Congress and state legislatures “to meet this heartbreaking moment not just with words, but with action.”

“Over the past year, so many Uvalde families have channeled their anguish into advocacy,” Harris said. “Together, they demand that we act to save lives. With their help, President Biden signed the most significant gun safety legislation in 30 years and implemented important executive actions in the months since. But more must be done.”

Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary since a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and two adults. President Joe Biden is expected to speak Wednesday afternoon with his own message urging Congress to act.

“While [Biden is] very appreciative of what Congress was able to do, there’s so much more to be done,” White House press secretary Karine-Jean Pierre said Tuesday. “We need to see Congress do something more, do more, put forward some common sense gun reform. That’s what these families deserve.”

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) said that the “fight isn’t over” when it comes to gun control legislation.

“We can't allow this to be normal. This can't be ‘oh, it's just another shooting,’” Gonzales said on MSNBC Wednesday. “We also can't think it can't happen to us. I mean, we never thought Uvalde would happen, small rural community, but the world is changed — and how do we come up with solutions?”

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) reiterated Democrats’ longtime push for expanded background checks or banning assault weapons.

“We know how to stop school shootings. We know that assault weapon bans, universal background checks, and a higher age for gun purchases will save American lives,” Castro said in a tweet. “The teachers and children who died cannot change the law. But we can honor their memories but having the courage to act.”