Texas Gun Control Group: 'Saddened And Outraged'

SANTA FE, TX - A Texas gun control organization says it is "deeply saddened and outraged" by the shooting Friday morning at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe.

Gyl Switzer, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, issued this statement: “Our hearts go out to those affected by today’s shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Texas. We Texans love our children. We need to do a better job of protecting them. There are proven strategies to reduce senseless gun violence. Today, Texas Gun Sense re-doubles our commitment to stop the killing. Work with us.”

Ten people are dead and 10 injured after a shooting at a Houston-area high school on Friday morning. Nine of the people killed were students and one was a teacher. The massacre took place at Santa Fe High School about 8 a.m.

Police identified the shooter as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, a student at the school. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that he is in custody, and a second student is being held for questioning. The gunman was armed with a shotgun and a .38 revolver, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The guns are owned by the boy's father.

"We need to do more than just pray for the victims and families," Abbott said at a Friday afternoon press conference. "It's time in Texas that we take action."

Abbott said he would work with Texas legislators and members of the community next week in roundtable discussions "to prevent this from ever happening again."

The governor said he wants to put together laws that will protect Second Amendment rights, but keep guns out of the hands of "those who present a danger."

The nonprofit Texas Gun Sense called gun violence a public health crisis in Texas and the United States. "Every incident like the shooting in Santa Fe, TX is an indication that action is needed now in communities across the state and nation," the organization said in a statement.

State Rep. Gene Wu from Houston echoed those comments, saying action needs to be taken after the school shooting.

"Y'all been sending thoughts and prayers for two freaking decades now," tweeted Rep. Gene Wu. "Time to try something new."

The gun control debate has grown more partisan and controversial since the school shooting at Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14.

So far, the NRA has remained silent on the Texas school shooting as of Friday night.

On Friday morning, a man was interviewed soon after the shooting near Santa Fe High School carrying an American flag with a gun at his side, according to media reports. The man said he traveled to the shooting scene to offer support.

Two weeks ago, President Trump addressed the NRA convention in Dallas, saying that the rights of gun owners were "under seige" and vowing to protect them.

On Friday, Trump expressed condolences for the Santa Fe victims and their families, adding: "This has been going on too long in our country. Too many years, too many decades now, we grieve for the terrible loss of life and send our support and love to everyone affected by this absolutely horrific attack to the students, families, teachers and personnel at Santa Fe high."

Trump added: "My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools, and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves, and to others."

Emma Gonzalez, a survivor of the Parkland school shooting rampage, tweeted: "Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices."

The National School Walkout organization called for a moment of silence at 2 p.m. Eastern in solidarity with the victims at Santa Fe High School.

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images