Dallas commissioners ask Abbott to call for special session on gun control after Uvalde

Dallas County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously permitted a decision asking Gov. Greg Abbott to name lawmakers right into a particular session on gun management.

County Choose Clay Jenkins proposed the decision in response to the Might 24 assault by an 18-year-old shooter at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde that left 19 youngsters and two adults useless.

The decision, permitted at Tuesday’s common commissioners assembly, asks Abbott to permit lawmakers to move “widespread sense” legal guidelines round weapons.

The decision suggests lawmakers take into account elevating the minimal age to purchase assault rifles to 21, require common background checks and strengthen psychological well being funding. The decision additionally prompt introducing “pink flag legal guidelines” — gun management legal guidelines that permit police, household or others to ask a court docket to quickly take away a firearm from somebody who’s believed to be a gift hazard to others or themselves.

The decision follows a current open letter signed by main Republican donors that advocates for such gun management legal guidelines. Greater than 250 “gun fans” signed the letter.

Final week, Abbott referred to as for particular legislative committees to look at what motion may be taken to stop future college shootings.

Commissioner John Wiley Worth, a Democrat who represents District 3, mentioned he helps the decision, however argued that psychological well being has not beforehand been a precedence for the state. He additionally mentioned elevating the minimal age for proudly owning a gun is just not a “difficult” concern.

Commissioner J.J. Koch, a Republican who represents District 2, informed commissioners he owns 4 weapons and has warned his 10-year-old son in regards to the risks of weapons and educated him about when to method his dad and mom if he’s having ideas of tension or self-harm.

“We’re not working laborious sufficient with our younger males,” Koch mentioned.

Additionally Tuesday, commissioners permitted a proposal for the creation of a authorities for southern Dallas’ inland port, which obtained reward from commissioners Worth, Theresa Daniel of District 1, and Elba Garcia of District 4.

“This is a chance to do what we haven’t been in a position to do in 20 years with the inland port,” Garcia mentioned.

The southern Dallas inland port sprawls throughout 76,000 acres and employs greater than 30,000 folks in distribution facilities. For many years, the port’s builders and distribution facilities have labored independently with out oversight.

The vote permits the county to pursue discussions with southern Dallas cities and draft a constitution for the proposed authorities. The federal government constitution for a “native authorities fee” would then go earlier than the commissioners a last time.