“Governor Abbott, I have something to say,” O’Rourke said. former congressman who represented El Paso, Texas and is former The Senate and the presidential candidate,” he said, walking up to the stage. in Uvalde, Texas.
“Time to stop next There’s shooting going on right now and you’re not doing anything,” O’Rourke told Abbott. face off in Governor of Texas race in November.
“You said it was unpredictable. It’s completely predictable,” he said. of Shooting on Tuesday at a local elementary school where 21 people — including 19 children – were killed and 17 were injured.
This is far from first the time O’Rourke spoke out on gun violence. former congressman used his platform during the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries to advocate for stricter gun control measures, including mandatory buyback of assault weapons program. His attention on in issue was exacerbated by the August 2019 racist massacre at Walmart. store in El Paso.
In the Democratic debate the following month, he did not apologize for his stance, which drew a quick backlash from Republicans and would have gone further than most. of proposals are debated by his competing primary candidates.
“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” O’Rourke said to applause. in debate room. “We’re not going allow this will be used against there are more of our fellow Americans.”
His statement then, long before he decided on gubernatorial run This year, set up sharp contrast with abbot, who often advertised move loosen restrictions on access to and possession of guns. Abbott will speak at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association. in Houston this week.
O’Rourke turned to Abbott. directly How is he left room on Wednesday: This on you until you decide to do something else.”
“This will continue. Someone has to get up up for in children of this state or they will continue to be killed, just like they were killed in Uvalde yesterday – he added.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Abbott said that tougher gun laws are not”real decision.”
“People who think maybe we can implement tough gun laws and we can solve it is Chicago, New York and Los Angeles that refute this thesis. Chicago teaches you that what you are talking about is not real solution,” Abbott said.
Abbott also said there were ongoing discussions about how to address people with mental health challenges in the state, as well as ways to ensure the safety of schools.
Confrontation with officials
Before O’Rourke left, Republican Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick of Texas said former congressman: “You out of line and embarrassment.
“Sit down”Senator Ted Cruz, O’Rourke opponent in Senate 2018 race- said shaking head.
Another official on stage, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin was shouting profanity at O’Rourke and appeared to be addressing the authorities. in removal room former congressman from the floor.
The officers then took O’Rourke away.
“(Abbott) said he was going to do something. He didn’t do anything. fact the only thing he did was do this easier carry gun in public”, O’Rourke told reporters after leaving the press conference.
former The congressman said that the governor of Texas is “the only interest gun lobby.”
He pointed out reporters that Abbott currently scheduled to speak at the National Rifle Association convention this Friday in Houston,”just days after these kids were killed right here in Uvalde, after they were killed at Santa Fe High School, in Sutherland Springs, in Midland Odessa, in El Paso, Texas.”
“5 of worst bulk hosting in US historyRight here in this state in in last five years. He was governor for everyone one of them,” O’Rourke continued.
Less than an hour before O’Rourke interrupted the press conference, he sent an email to his supporters saying that the shooting at Uvald was a “direct consequence”. of “choice made Greg Abbott.
“These massacres are not natural disasters, acts of of God or random. They are completely predictable, direct consequences of choice made Greg Abbott and most of those in Texas legislature,” he wrote.
This story was updated with additional details from event.
CNN’s Jamiel Lynch, Amanda Musa, Ashley Killow and Brian Rokus contributed to this report.
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