Meanwhile, both Abbott and Uvalde police have been knocked for a seemingly amorphous accounts of police response to the shooting. Instead, Abbott urged more resources for mental health. On Friday, Abbott said none of the laws enacted in 2021 were relevant to the Robb Elementary shooting. The shooter behind the massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead is known to have legally purchased AR-15-style rifles, one of which was used in the shooting. While there remain some exceptions to the law, it nonetheless remains a hot-button issue in the state. Going into effect September 2021, the bill allows Texans ages 21 and older to carry firearms without a license or training. Last year, the 64 year-old signed into law House Bill 1927, often referred to as the “permitless carry” bill. Abbott, who has served as Texas governor since 2015, is widely opposed to restrictive gun laws.
