Gun violence
On May 6,2023,a gunman used an AR-15 style rifle in an outlet mall shooting that killed eight and wounded seven in Allen,Texas,within Self's district. [33] [34] In the aftermath of the attack,Self was criticized for characterizing people who say that prayer alone will not to stop mass shootings as "people that don't believe in an almighty God,who is absolutely in control of our lives". [5] [33] He followed up by saying that he did not want to discuss politics so soon after a mass shooting;that Allen remains a "very safe area";and that calls for additional regulation of AR-15 style rifles,including raising the allowable purchasing age,are “a knee-jerk reaction that does not stop criminals.” [33] Self advocated for arming school staff members with guns and having an armed presence in the public,stating that prayer and full funding of mental health programs are a better remedy for mass shootings than gun control. [5] [33] Shannon Watts,the founder of the advocacy group Moms Demand Action,responded:"Faith without works is dead. Prayers without action are empty." [5]
The shooter,Mauricio Martinez Garcia,had enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 2008,but never completed basic training:he was terminated after 3 months due to mental health concerns. [35] [36] Because this was an administrative separation,rather than a punitive discharge,Garcia's termination by the Army would not show up on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. [37] On May 11,commenting on Garcia's military service,Self characterized him as "exactly the kind of person we’re trying to keep weapons out of the hands of" and said that Garcia's ability to buy guns legally was a loophole that he intends to fix;however,Self denied that he was discussing a red flag law. [38]
