The Texas Democratic Party is apologizing for a tweet that linked the state's "campus carry" law to the arrest of a Texas Tech University student in the fatal shooting of a campus police officer.
As news of the shooting was breaking late Monday, the Texas Democrats' Twitter account posted, "Allowing concealed guns on college campuses was a dumb and dangerous idea."
That referred to a law that took effect last year allowing Texans with concealed carry permits to bring guns into university classrooms and buildings.
Critics noted that you have to be 21 to get a concealed carry permit and the suspected Texas Tech shooter is 19.
Texas Democratic Party Deputy Executive Director Manny Garcia said in a statement Tuesday that "our words were inadequate, hurried and we apologize," adding that the tweet has been removed.
Authorities say Hollis Daniels III fatally shot officer Floyd East Jr. while being booked on a drug possession charge.
Statement from Texas Democratic Party Deputy Executive Director Manny Garcia:
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
“Last night, Texas Tech University, like so many communities and college campuses across America, experienced a frightening active shooter event.
“America lost yet another soul to gun violence last night, Texas Tech University Police Officer Floyd East, Jr. We pray for him, his family, and the entire Texas Tech community. We pledge to do everything in our power to stop tragedies like last night’s from ever happening again.
“In response, we spoke out on Twitter about the danger of campus carry. Our words were inadequate, hurried, and we apologize. That tweet has now been removed. The shooter was ineligible to hold a license to carry and the full facts of the tragic incident have yet to be reported.
"The truth is, like millions of Americans, we’re frustrated. We’re tired of hearing ‘thoughts and prayers’ from politicians who avoid conversations about real solutions to our nation’s gun violence epidemic. We’re tired of politicians shrugging tragedy off. We’re tired of seeing Americans die.
“We believe law enforcement officials should be the only ones with firearms on campus. We believe we should do everything possible to keep guns out of the hands of those who would do evil. We believe sensible gun laws can do something about America’s shameful gun violence.”
