Our hearts break for all those affected by the horrific shooting that took place at Santa Fe High School. Nothing we write will diminish the grief and anguish sweeping over this community. Nothing can remove the fear that students across the nation feel every day as they go to school. No words can reassure parents dropping their children off at school that they won't lose them in what was once regarded as a safe haven.

It's time for effective action and leadership, not more thoughts and prayers. Every one of us is proud to have been granted a Candidate Distinction from the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense organization. We mean to earn that today and every day by giving our full-throated support to their sensible proposals to end gun violence and promote gun safety, which include:

1. Criminal background checks on all gun sales.
2. Keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.
3. Red Flag Laws.
4. Prohibiting bump stocks.
5. Funding gun violence prevention research.
6. Stopping permitless carry.
7. Keeping guns out of schools and off college campuses.
8. Stopping gun trafficking and straw purchasing.
9. Promoting responsible gun storage and ownership.

Texans are ready to make the changes necessary to protect our children and each other. We look forward to working with folks in our own communities who are willing to stand up and fight the epidemic of gun violence that plagues us all.

We call for Governor Greg Abbott to immediately hold a special session of the legislature and for our representatives in the Texas State House and Senate to enact common sense gun laws to protect our communities and our children.

Please join us in our call.

Sincerely,

Texas Candidates for Gun Sense

Representative Eric Johnson, House District 100
Andrew White, candidate for Governor
Sam Johnson, candidate for Congressional District 3
Tawana Walter-Cadien, candidate for Congressional District 10
Adrienne Bell, candidate for Congressional District 14
Joseph Kopser, candidate for Congressional District 21
Mary Wilson, candidate for Congressional District 21
Sri Preston Kulkarni, candidate for Congressional District 22
Gina Ortiz Jones, candidate for Congressional District 23
Jan McDowell, candidate for Congressional District 24
Julie Oliver, candidate for Congressional District 25
Linsey Fagan, candidate for Congressional District 26
Christine Mann, candidate for Congressional District 31
Dayna Steele, candidate for Congressional District 36
Gwenn Burud, candidate for Senate District 9
Fran Watson, candidate for Senate District 17
Rita Lucido, candidate for Senate District 17
Steven Kling, candidate for Senate District 25
Lisa Seger, candidate for House District 3
Alec Johnson, candidate for House District 11
Lorena Perez McGill, candidate for House District 15
Mike Midler, candidate for House District 16
Michelle Ryan, candidate for House District 17
Rebecca Bell-Metereau, candidate for House District 45
Erin Zwiener, candidate for House District 45
Sheryl Cole, candidate for House District 46
Jose "Chito" Vela, candidate for House District 46
Elaina Fowler, candidate for House District 47
Vikki Goodwin, candidate for House District 47
Laura Haines, candidate for House District 63
Andrew Morris, candidate for House District 64
Mat Pruneda, candidate for House District 64
Michelle Beckley, candidate for House District 65
Sharon Hirsch, candidate for House District 66
Samuel Hatton, candidate for House District 71
Stephanie Phillips, candidate for House District 73
Armando Gamboa, candidate for House District 81
Nancy Bean, candidate for House District 93
Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin, candidate for House District 97
Mica J Ringo, candidate for House District 98
Ana-Maria Ramos, candidate for House District 102
Ramona Thompson, candidate for House District 106
Terry Meza, candidate for House District 105
Joanna Cattanach, candidate for House District 108
Brandy K Chambers, candidate for House District 112
Rhetta Andrews Bowers, candidate for House District 113
Julie Johnson, candidate for House District 115
Celina Montoya, candidate for House District 121
Claire Barnett, candidate for House District 122
Natali Hurtado, candidate for House District 126
Alex Karjeker, candidate for House District 129
Fred Infortunio, candidate for House District 130
Gina Calanni, candidate for House District 132
Marty Schexnayder, candidate for House District 133
Adam Milasincic, candidate for House District 138
Michael Shawn Kelly, candidate for House District 150