Uvalde School Board Pushes For 'Symbolic' Gun Law Reform: Will Gov. Abbott Agree?
Months after the horrific Uvalde School shooting, the board unanimously called Gov. Abbott for stricter gun laws.The Uvalde School Board is pushing for a landmark decision in the state of Texas, a gun reform legislation brought about by the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting.
The special legislation that the board unanimously decided calls the attention of the Republican governor to amend the current gun laws in the state.
Two months since the horrific encounter claimed the lives of 19 elementary students and two teachers, investigations reveal that it was negligence and "systemic failures" that caused further damage.
Uvalde School Board Pushes for Gun Reform in Texas
In a completely anticipated move Monday night, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District trustees made a huge call to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, KSAT reports.
The board held a late-night meeting on July 25, talking about important decisions on the future trajectory of the school district.
Among the huge decisions they made was formally urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to call state lawmakers to raise the legal age to buy assault rifles from 18 to 21 years old.
In June 2022, Uvalde county commissioners implored Abbott and the Texas Legislature to form special committees to make recommendations for stricter school and gun restrictions.
Abbott, a Republican, has a freer stance on gun ownership in the State of Texas, which his detractors and the Democratic Party have largely criticized.
It is in Abbott's official power to call special legislative sessions and put major pressure on lawmakers about his agendas, so it would be a monumental turn if Abbott heeded the call of the embattled school board.
Abbott's Response to Gun Reform Law That Uvalde School Board Proposed
As of this writing, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has yet to officially respond to the Uvalde School Board's recommendation. However, Abbott's spokesperson told The Texas Tribune that the office of the governor is doing all means necessary.
"As Governor Abbott has said from day one, all options remain on the table as he continues working with state and local leaders to prevent future tragedies and deploy all available resources to support the Uvalde community as they heal. More announcements are expected in the coming days and weeks as the legislature deliberates proposed solutions," the spokesperson said in an email.
Aside from the huge call to Gov. Abbott, the board of trustees has also decided to move the reopening of schools from August to September 2022.
This is to give way for the district to carry out more security improvements on the campuses as staff members can receive trauma-informed training.
Uvalde School Board Places Robb Elementary Principal on Leave
Robb Elementary School Principal Mandy Gutierrez met a similar fate with estranged School Police Chief Pete Arredondo as both are now placed on "administrative leaves."
Starting Monday, Gutierrez was placed on leave with pay indefinitely, her lawyer declares.
The recent Texas house probe report reveals that Gutierrez and her assistant were negligent on the problem with the lock to Room 111.
The investigation reveals that despite knowing the problem, the principal and assistant have not issued a work order for a repair, causing the gunman eventually to enter the classroom, thus the premises too.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Ivan Korrs
WATCH: Uvalde school board calls for special session - From KXAN
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