In the wake of recent shootings in Odessa, El Paso, Sutherland Springs, and Plano, many Texas gun control proponents have demanded that state leadership “do something” in the hopes of preventing future tragedies. However, these demands often redound to a clear violation of an explicit right enumerated both in the United States and Texas constitutions—the individual right to keep and bear arms for lawful self-defense—while failing to empirically demonstrate the positive change the proposed policy changes seek to achieve. Nonetheless, some legislative proposals and executive actions floated in the wake of these tragedies may improve public safety and responsible firearm ownership through the explicit targeting of more pervasive types of firearm violence.
Matthew McCormick’s Testimony to the Texas State Board of Education
When evaluating works for inclusion in the curriculum, only two factors should be considered: 1) the suitability and age-appropriateness of the work, and 2) its usefulness as a tool to teach literacy and literature. I am pleased to report that the Texas Education Agency has recommended a course of texts that achieves both of these...