Time for leaders to follow the will of the people, not the gun lobby

On November 22, 1963 President John F. Kennedy was murdered by an assassin’s bullet. I was 16 when my father was catapulted into the presidency. The nation's life and mine were forever changed.

Gun violence continued to take the lives of Americans, including political leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Lyndon Johnson responded to the crisis by presenting a consequential gun control bill which Congress passed and he proudly signed into law.

As a proud Texan and gun owner, my father knew that owning a gun comes with responsibility. Not everyone should be allowed to possess firearms. This law is still a fundamental way that we keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, but it’s not enough.

I continue my father’s work and proudly stand with another political leader who has been a victim of gun violence – my friend and former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

One of the many reasons I stand with Gabby is because15 years after my father signed the Gun Control Act, gun violence tore my heart asunder − again. Betty Beal, my best Texas friend and White House bridesmaid was gunned down by her estranged husband. He had previously tried to suffocate Betty, yet a court order dictated they share custody. Betty’s husband told her they’d never get a divorce. He ensured that by putting six bullets in her head when she rang the doorbell to pick up her children.

Today the pain of gun violence is galloping through our country with increasing mass murders. After Sandy Hook we said, “never again.” Yet 19 children and two teachers were brutally murdered in Uvalde last May while just trying to go to school. In Highland Park we lost another 7 innocent people just trying to celebrate their love for country on the 4th of July. When are we going to act to protect Americans’ rights to safety? No community should have to go through what Uvalde and Highland Park are going through.

Texas has some of the weakest gun laws in the country. We have endured countless tragedies due to them. That’s why I’m standing with my fellow Texans to say enough is enough. Most Texans agree, we need stronger gun safety laws. It's time for our state leaders to follow the will of the Texas people and not the gun lobby.

Congress and President Biden have stepped up to meet the moment. Gratefully one of Texas’ senators, John Cornyn, helped lead the way on the first gun safety legislation enacted in nearly 30 years. It's not perfect, but it’s a beginning. It includes important steps to support the implementation of extreme risk laws (commonly known as red flag laws). It reduces the boyfriend loophole to prevent domestic violence from escalating to gun deaths. It creates enhanced background checks for people ages 18-21 years old. It addresses gun trafficking. But more must be done, especially in Texas.

Instead of making us safer, Texas lawmakers have done the opposite. Last year legislators passed a permitless carry law, allowing anyone 21 years or older to carry a handgun in public without a permit or training. The gun lobby fought hard for this bill.

As Gabby says, we can either let the shootings continue, or we can act. Well, I choose to act. There are steps Texas must take to become a safer place.

We can start by repealing permitless carry laws. We can require background checks for all gun sales. Now, thanks to the new federal gun law, Texas can get funding to establish extreme risk protection orders in the state. If we implement such orders we can save countless lives like Betty’s by allowing families to ask a court to restrict someone’s access to guns if they pose a threat to themselves or others.

I have lived in Texas most of my life. I understand that gun ownership is an important part of many lives. We take our rights seriously, and we know that with our rights come big responsibilities.

Now it’s our turn to act. We must choose leaders who will advocate and pass this kind of legislation. Please join me in securing responsible gun legislation. Our children are counting on us.

Luci Baines Johnson is the daughter of the former president, Lyndon Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Time for leaders to follow the will of the people, not the gun lobby