Photo by KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Image

According to Texas Republicans, the overwhelming presence of guns isn’t the reason why the United States leads the developed world in gun deaths. Any and every possible explanation will be put forth by Republicans except acknowledging the smoking gun in the room responsible for over 200 mass shootings in 2022, including the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas which claimed the lives of 19 children.

Last month, the CDC announced that guns are now the leading cause of death of children and teenagers. Just yesterday, a student with an AK-47 and a toy AR-15 rifle was arrested at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas. Perhaps the 28th school shooting of the year was thankfully averted.

In America, there are more guns than people in a country of 330 million. In America, you can’t drink or rent a car in most states until the age of 21, but you can walk into a gun shop and buy two assault rifles on your 18th birthday. That’s exactly what the Texas shooter did. In America, it’s easier for some people to get a gun than to vote, obtain affordable health care, or buy Sudafed.

In America, it’s good to be a gun. You’re more loved and protected than children. After right-wing extremists in the Supreme Court gut Roe v. Wade, you, dear gun, will have more rights than women. If you, an inanimate gun, ran for office against a Democrat in a red state, you’d have a solid chance of winning the election. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, who hasn’t met a gun she hasn’t loved, would campaign for you.

You’re killing it, guns.

Even though common sense and numerous examples from other countries, such as Australia, reveal that gun control actually works at reducing mass shootings and unnecessary death, Republicans would much rather take blood money from the gun lobby. In the aftermath of this bruising and harrowing tragedy, Republicans are engaging in the most absurd mental gymnastics to excuse themselves from enacting gun reform. For Texas Republicans, the shootings are due to locked doors, teachers who aren’t armed, or not enough law enforcement at schools. Gov. Abbott also did a racist dog whistle and mentioned Chicago as proof that gun control doesn’t work. (He failed to mention that a majority of those guns that come into Chicago are from neighboring states which have loose gun laws–states like Texas.)

Gov. Greg Abbott specifically blamed “mental health challenges” for the recent shooting, but didn’t focus on the two assault rifles an 18-year-old was able to easily purchase on his birthday. If “mental health” is truly to blame for mass shootings, then how do we explain millions of people who suffer from mental and emotional health issues around the world, but their countries don’t have a fraction of our mass shootings?

But, let’s humor Gov. Abbott for a moment. He admitted that Texas needs to “do a better job with mental health.” His statement begs the question: what are Republicans doing to address this problem? Gov. Abbott believes in slashing $211 million from departments that oversee mental health programs. That’s what he did in April, which explains why Texas is ranked dead last in all the states for access to mental health care.

If Republicans truly care about solving mass shootings and investing in the health of children, then why did 192 Republicans vote last week against providing $28 million to the FDA to help the baby formula shortage? Why did they vote against providing Covid relief to millions of American families suffering during an ongoing pandemic? Why did they vote against the child tax credit, which briefly lifted millions of children out of poverty? Why are they so committed to killing Obamacare and replacing it with nothing? Why did they block Medicaid expansion in their states? Why are they adamantly opposed to President Biden’s Build Back Better plan that would provide universal pre-K, provide better access to healthcare coverage, and invest in affordable housing?

All of these measures would significantly help reduce stress, anxiety, and challenges faced by millions of American families and their children. However, Republicans don’t support them, because they simply don’t care.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cares more about arming teachers. That’s his solution, even though researchers have found no evidence that this will deter school shootings. Moreover, 73% of teachers oppose being armed according to a 2018 Gallup poll. Paxton and other Republicans expect our underpaid and exhausted teachers to now perform the services of law enforcement despite having no training or experience.

The most creative solution was offered by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who can be found grandstanding in front of TV stations after a crisis, but relaxing in Cancun with his family during a crisis. He said the shooter was able to commit the massacre due to an unlocked back door. Yes, he actually said that. In addition to being callous and ridiculous, Sen. Cruz revealed that he has apparently never visited a public school before and has no idea that they have multiple doors.

We know the problem, and we know the solution. It’s the guns. It’s always been about the proliferation of guns. Implementing smart and broadly popular gun reforms, accepted even by gun owners, is the moral, rational, and humane step forward to make sure our kids don’t have to worry about being shot to death before high school prom.

Everyone knows this, especially Republicans and the NRA, which is hosting a massive conference this weekend in Texas. However, in a deliciously ironic twist, the NRA is banning guns during Trump’s speech.

If guns make everyone safer, why isn’t NRA welcoming them?

In America, Republicans and the NRA are only interested in protecting themselves, their money, and their interests, even when it comes at the expense of our children who are now just target practice for the next shooter.