Texas Shooting: A Failure of Several Levels

Salvador Ramos, 18, committed the atrocious act of murdering 19-year-olds at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde (Texas). He also killed two teachers and 19 children. “Evil” is about as close as it gets.

Predictably, President Biden and other Democrats called for increased gun control laws. However, they did not explain why people are intent on violating current laws.

Texas state senators. John Whitmire and Roland Gutierrez, both Democrats, said that Ramos was their state senators. Legally purchased One of the assault rifles he purchased from a federally-licensed gun shop on May 17th, one day after turning 18. Reports the following day. Houston ChronicleHe purchased 375 rounds. He then bought his second assault rifle on May 20.

Texas was represented at the news conference Governor Greg Abbott Ramos stated that he posted on Facebook about his intent to kill his grandmother. He then wrote again, saying that he would shoot up an elementary school. What is the reason no one contacted police?

What could have been done to prevent this terrible tragedy?

Now, the initial story of an immediate law enforcement response to this incident is in doubt. It is now possible to see the following: Associated Press Reports state that police stood outside Ramos’ school building for up to 40 minutes, perhaps an hour. Onlookers and parents urged him not to. Ramos, according to police reports, remained outside of the school’s building and fired shots. 12 minutes before going inside. This should have given the police enough time to arrest him.

Ramos had already tagged an LA girl before the shoot. InstagramHe seemed to be hinting at his motives. He was a stranger to her, she claimed. Why didn’t she contact authorities? News reports quoted her as “afraid,” but after the shooting she regretted not doing so. Ramos took a photo of the AR-15-style guns he bought and shared it online. You can be a supporter of the Second Amendment but still advocate banning weapons of war. The minimum requirements for granting permission to the applicant include a wait period, mental evaluation, and background checks.

It Uvalde school district’s website says it has “proponents to curb and/or eliminate” elements of “violence, vandalism, disruptions and fear” in its schools to “provide a safe and secure environment for all.”

It was clear that this failed. There was no way to tell. News conference held Thursday, it was reported that Ramos was allowed to enter Robb Elementary without opposition, contradicting earlier reports that Uvalde police officers “engaged” the killer.

The website says “proponents” consist of four officers, including two within the school district … security staff that patrols door entrances and parking lots at secondary campuses … canine detection services, modern detectors and alarm systems; perimeter fencing at Robb and other schools and outside buzz-in systems; security cameras, a locked classroom door policy … and a threat reporting system.”

This sounds great, but parents, investigators and loved ones will be curious to learn if any were inoperative or damaged.

It is right for parents to expect that schools will protect their children. It wasn’t that long ago when parents could send their children off to school, expecting them to return safely. Schools, then, were considered as safe as one’s home. Staff and faculty saw it as their responsibility to ensure that students were safe from injuries. A child could be required to run in the corridor after school or face the principal.

Homeschooling seems to be the only way that children can learn in a secure environment. While some people in Uvalde and elsewhere may select that option, most won’t, or are unable to for various reasons.

Each time one of these evil acts occurs, we hear from politicians that we can’t go on like this. Ok, tell us what to do about it. The laws alone are not enough. But, it is worth examining potential buyers more carefully, and ensuring that there are no waiting periods or thorough background checks.

This and other school shootings have a moral component that should not be ignored. Please, preachers, pay attention.