Gun control groups: Texas biker gang shooting a wake-up call

Gun safety advocates say a shootout between rival biker gangs in Texas that killed nine on Sunday should be a “wake up call” for lawmakers.

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, blamed the Waco shooting on what she says are weak gun laws in Texas.

“Dear #Texas lawmakers: more guns in more places with fewer safeguards not winning strategy for public safety #txlege #WacoShooting #GunSense,” Watts tweeted Monday.

{mosads}”#WacoShooting should be wake up call for #txlege: stop taking orders from gun lobby; listen to police and constituents @MomsDemand #GunSense,” she added.

The shootout took place Sunday afternoon near a shopping plaza in Waco, Texas. In addition to those who were killed, 18 people were wounded.

Moms Demand Action and other gun control groups are stepping up their push for stronger gun laws in the wake of the shooting.

Gun safety advocates argue that shootings like this could be prevented if guns had been kept out of the hands of criminals. They’re calling for expanded background checks that would apply to people buying firearms online and at gun shows.

“There is no single solution to ending gun violence, but we do know that background checks on all gun sales save lives and keep guns out of the wrong hands,” said Angela Turner, spokeswoman for the Texas branch of Moms Demand Action.

“Everything is big in Texas,” said Jonathan Hutson, spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “Including big biker shootouts and even bigger loopholes that allow criminals and other dangerous people to buy guns without a Brady background check at gun shows and online”

The shooting also comes as Texas lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow gun owners to openly carry their firearms around the state.

“Open carry makes everyday confrontations potentially more dangerous and poses an unnecessary challenge on our law enforcement to determine in the heat of the event who is a good guy and who is a dangerous criminal,” Turner said.

“Perhaps Sunday’s violence will serve as the necessary wake-up call to our legislators that they should stop taking marching orders from the gun lobby,” Turner added.