The town of Uvalde, Texas, has been gripped by sorrow as funerals began Tuesday for the 21 victims of the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. On May 24, an 18-year-old gunman armed with an assault rifle stormed the school, killing 19 children and two teachers in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
The first funerals were held for two 10-year-old girls, Amery Jo Garza and Mayte Yuleana Rodriguez. Amery, remembered as sweet, sassy, and full of life, loved swimming and drawing, according to her obituary. Mayte, described as a bright and dedicated student, was passionate about learning and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, inspired by her love for whales and dolphins. Additional funerals for the other victims are scheduled to take place over the coming weeks, extending through mid-June, as the community continues to grieve.
National calls for action on gun control
As Uvalde mourns, the tragedy has reignited the national debate over gun control. President Joe Biden, a long-time advocate for stricter gun laws, expressed his determination to work with lawmakers to address the recurring scourge of mass shootings in the United States.
“I will meet with Congress on guns,” Biden told reporters at the White House, highlighting the urgency of enacting reforms. Reflecting on his presidency, Biden noted, “Unfortunately, I’ve had to face the aftermath of more mass shootings than any other president in American history. A lot of it is preventable, and the devastation is incredible.”
Biden visited Uvalde on Sunday, spending seven hours with survivors and grieving families. He emphasized the need for action to prevent future tragedies and cited international examples of successful gun reform. During a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Biden discussed her leadership following the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, where a gunman killed 51 people and livestreamed the attack on social media.
In the aftermath of that attack, Ardern spearheaded sweeping reforms, including a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons and military-style rifles, as well as a gun buyback program. Biden acknowledged that such measures would face significant resistance in the United States, where the constitutional right to bear arms is deeply entrenched. Nevertheless, he underscored the importance of exploring policy changes to curb gun violence.
Senate discussions and bipartisan negotiations
Meanwhile, a small bipartisan group of U.S. senators has begun discussions to explore potential compromises on gun control. Democratic Senators Chris Murphy and Kyrsten Sinema joined Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis in virtual talks to determine whether an agreement can be reached on measures to reduce gun violence.
While the scope of these talks remains uncertain, Biden’s advocacy and the increasing frequency of mass shootings have intensified pressure on lawmakers to act. However, gun control legislation has historically faced staunch opposition from Republicans in Congress, making significant reforms an uphill battle.
Scrutiny of police response to the Uvalde shooting
As the debate over gun control continues, attention has also turned to the police response during the Robb Elementary School shooting, which has been widely criticized as inadequate. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a review of the law enforcement response to identify “lessons learned and best practices” for handling active shooter situations.
Officers at the scene have faced intense scrutiny for delaying their confrontation with the gunman, Salvador Ramos, who remained inside the school for over an hour. During this time, children trapped in the classroom with Ramos made desperate 911 calls, pleading for help.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Chief Stephen McCraw, the incident commander, Uvalde Schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo, mistakenly believed that the situation had transitioned from an active shooter scenario to a barricaded suspect. As a result, officers were not immediately ordered to breach the classroom, a decision McCraw later described as “the wrong decision.”
Eventually, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrived, entered the classroom, and fatally shot Ramos, but not before 21 lives were lost. The delayed response has sparked outrage among parents and community members, who are demanding accountability and answers from law enforcement officials.
In the days following the tragedy, Texas law enforcement has adjusted its timeline and explanations of the events, further fueling public frustration. The evolving accounts have raised questions about transparency and preparedness in responding to such emergencies.
A country grappling with gun violence
The Uvalde massacre is the latest in a series of mass shootings that have plagued the United States, reigniting debates over the nation’s gun laws. According to the Gun Violence Archive, more than 20 mass shootings have occurred in the country since the Uvalde attack. The organization also reports that over 18,000 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. in 2022 alone.
Despite the growing toll, the United States has struggled to implement significant gun reforms, even as other nations have taken decisive action following similar tragedies. Countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom enacted strict gun control measures in response to mass shootings, including bans on assault weapons and more rigorous background checks.
By contrast, the U.S. has endured decades of mass shootings in schools, workplaces, places of worship, and public spaces without passing comparable legislation. The deeply polarized debate over the Second Amendment and the influence of the gun lobby have repeatedly stymied efforts to address the crisis.
A community in mourning
As Uvalde buries its dead, the grief remains palpable. The loss of 19 children and two educators has left a lasting impact on the small Texas town, and the nation watches as families and friends say their final goodbyes. The tragedy has reignited calls for action, but whether this moment will lead to meaningful change remains to be seen.
For now, Uvalde stands as a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of inaction in the face of gun violence. The funerals, stretching into mid-June, serve as a somber testament to the lives lost and the urgency of preventing future tragedies.