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Many are questioning why the 18-year-old shooter was able to buy the AR-15, as well as tactical gear, that is said to have been used in the deadly mass shooting.
During a press conference Wednesday following the tragic school shooting that killed at least 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, the governor was asked about his stance on gun laws.
MORE: What we know about Texas elementary school shooting victims so far
“I hate to say this, but there are more people shot every weekend in Chicago than there are in schools in Texas. And we need to realize that people who think that, well maybe if we just implement tougher gun laws, its gonna solve it,” Abbott said. “Chicago and LA and New York disprove that thesis. And so, if you’re looking for a real solution, Chicago teaches that what you’re talking about is not a real solution. Our job is to come up with real solutions that we can implement.”
WATCH: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on gun laws
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker took to Twitter in response to Abbott’s comments, saying, “Shame on you….You are lying about Chicago and what actually perpetuates gun violence. The majority of guns used in Chicago shootings come from states with lax gun laws.”
You are lying about Chicago and what actually perpetuates gun violence. The majority of guns used in Chicago shootings come from states with lax gun laws.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 25, 2022
Mayor Lori Lightfoot also defended against the comment, saying, “Instead of coming after my city, take a moment to think about how YOU can stop this carnage. I work day and night to stop the violence. I see the suffering. Open your eyes. Lives are being lost. Be a part of the solution or get the hell out of the way.”
Gov Abbott, instead of coming after my city, take a moment to think about how YOU can stop this carnage. I work day and night to stop the violence. I see the suffering. Open your eyes. Lives are being lost. Be a part of the solution or get the hell out of the way. https://t.co/XBGs8Tq2W8
— Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) May 25, 2022
Abbott made the comment shortly after Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, interrupted the press conference, telling the governor, “This is on you.”
JUST IN: Beto O’Rourke interrupts Texas Gov. Abbott at Uvalde news conference, calls shooting ‘totally predictable’
O’Rourke, who is running for governor, rushed the press conference stage after Abbott described the need for more mental health programs in the state that he said might have headed off the massacre.
“You are doing nothing… This is totally predictable when you choose not to do anything,” O’Rourke added.
Many Chicago and Illinois leaders have also been reacting to the deadly mass shooting at an elementary school, prompting some to call for gun legislation.
RELATED: Texas school shooting: IL Democratic leaders blast GOP, call for gun control after 15 killed
“As a nation, we simply cannot allow this to continue. Every single day, children and young people are losing their lives to people who do not value the sanctity of life and take advantage of the unabated presence of firearms in our communities,” Mayor Lightfoot said, in part, calling on elected representatives to pass gun control legislation. “Now more than ever, we must push our legislators to pass sweeping and effective gun control measures. Our children’s lives depend on it.”
The mayor also tweeted: ” Protect our children, not our gun laws.”
Protect children, not gun laws.
— Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) May 25, 2022
Attorney General Kwame Raoul also took to Twitter, saying “our children deserve better.”
My heart breaks for the families in Texas. Our children deserve better. No child, wherever they are, should have to live in a world plagued by gun violence.
— Kwame Raoul (@KwameRaoul) May 24, 2022
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