O’Rourke Issues Challenge for Abbott Regarding NRA After Uvalde Shooting

Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke is urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to cancel his speaking slot at the upcoming National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in the wake of a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

In a tweet late Tuesday, O’Rourke wrote, “Governor Abbott, if you have any decency, you will immediately withdraw from this weekend’s NRA convention and urge them to hold it anywhere but Texas.”

And in a separate tweet, the Democrat shared a Texas Tribune tweet that stated Texas has experienced eight mass shootings in 13 years.

It noted that during that time, Texas lawmakers “have steadily loosened restrictions on carrying firearms.”

“These massacres aren’t natural disasters, acts of God, or random,” O’Rourke wrote.

He added, “They are totally predictable, direct consequences of the choices made by 👤Greg Abbott and the majority of those in the legislature.”

On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and opened fire.

At least 19 children and two adults were killed in the shooting.

Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety told CNN that the victims were all in the same fourth-grade classroom.

He explained that the shooter “barricaded himself by locking the door and just started shooting children and teachers that were inside that classroom.”

“It just shows you the complete evil of the shooter,” he added.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin tweeted, “Border Patrol sources tell me an elite BORTAC Border Patrol agent is believed to have shot and killed the gunman at Robb Elementary School today.”

”I’m told he entered with a tactical team while TX LEOs were engaged w/ barricaded shooter. Agent was injured,” he added.

The NRA’s leadership summit is slated to kick off Friday in Texas.

Abbott, former President Donald Trump, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are scheduled to speak at the event.