Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin has confirmed his intention to run for Texas State Representatives District 80. Texas State Representative Tracy O. King of the current seat holder. King announced earlier this week he would not seek another term.

  The Uvalde Hesperian spoke with McLaughlin over the phone Saturday morning July 15th.  McLauglin stated that the Texas House District 80 seat is an important seat and he would provide a voice for the people of Uvalde, Uvalde County and Southwest Texas and address the issues and concerns facing the district. McLaughlin had received national attention appearing as a guest on Fox News  and the Tucker Carlson Show discussing the Border Crisis and the migrant issue as it affects Uvalde as well as receiving statewide and national attention as the Mayor of Uvalde during the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School massacre on May 24th, 2024. 

 Mclaughlin stated he feels that raising the age of access to assault rifles from 18 to 21 is an issue that needs to be addressed while at the same time maintaining gun rights under the 2nd amendment. McLaughlin spoke highly of Representative King and his representation of Uvalde and Uvalde County.

 After a morning of action by Uvalde families, State Senator Roland Guiterrez, House, and Senate Democratic caucus, HB 2744 voted out of committee 8-5

Austin, Texas – Today, the Texas House Select Committee on Community Safety voted 8 – 5 to pass H.B. 2744, which would raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle to 21, with exceptions for military and law enforcement. The vote comes on the heels of this morning’s press conference with Uvalde families and state Democrats demanding action on gun safety legislation.

“We can’t keep waiting for another tragedy for legislation on gun safety. Nothing can bring back the lives we’ve lost, but this will help to save lives in the future. We need to see this bill passed,” said Senator Gutierrez. “Semiautomatic rifles, weapons of war, are being used to hurt our children, families running errands, concertgoers, and grocery shoppers. If Texas Republicans aren’t going to vote to help protect our families, then they better step out of our way.”

HB 2744 will move on to the House Calendars Committee to be considered for a House floor vote. The Texas Legislature has three weeks to consider this vital piece of legislation before the session concludes on May 29th.

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Roland Gutierrez has served as the Texas State Senator for District 19 since 2021, previously serving six terms as a member of the Texas House of Representatives and two terms as a San Antonio City Councilman.

  Gutierrez to file legislation aimed at preventing mass shootings and memorializing victims.

  Austin, Texas – On Tuesday, State Senator Roland Gutierrez will announce a historic package of bills introduced in the Texas Senate aimed at preventing mass shootings. The bills aim to fix radio interoperability in rural counties, increase school safety, improve emergency response protocols between state and local public safety entities, and create a monument to mass shooting victims in the Texas State Cemetery. Additionally, Senator Gutierrez will make an appropriations request to provide funding for safety measures in schools and mental healthcare.

  Tomorrow, Gutierrez will continue to uphold his commitment to advocate for justice, truth, and accountability. This is the second release of several expected packages of Uvalde legislation. Two weeks ago, Sen. Gutierrez released legislation that focuses on increasing state and local accountability, removing qualified immunity, and providing compensation for affected survivors and families.

  Who:  Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez and Uvalde Families

  What: Press Conference to introduce Uvalde victims legislation.

  When: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – 2:30 pm

  Where: Texas Capitol Senate Press Room, 2E.9

 1100 Congress Ave.

 Austin, Texas

The press conference will be livestreamed on the Texas Senate video page.

Uvalde residents Felix and Kimberly Rubio testified before U.S. Congress earlier today giving an account of what happened the morning of Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 and how they learned their daughter Lexi Rubio had perished along with 18 other students at Robb School.

“So today we stand for Lexi and as her voice we demand action. We seek a ban on assault rifles and high capacity magazines.” Kimberly Rubio said.

She went onto say, “So at this moment we ask for process. We seek to raise the age to purchase these weapons raised from 18 to 21 years of age. We seek red flag laws, stronger background checks; we also want to repeal gun manufacturers liability and immunity.”

Picture from video from Oversight Committee YouTube Channel

Report generated from content of this video.