Social media is in uproar after US senator Ted Cruz blamed unlocked doors rather than guns for the Uvalde school massacre. The Republican called for increased security, including hiring armed police officers, as a precaution following the killing of 19 children and two teachers in Texas, and refused to blame US gun laws during an interview with FoxNews.
He told the broadcaster: "Enough is enough," but Twitter users blasted his response to questions about the tragedy. MaiTai replied: "The school had both of these and this still happened."
MikeBookey tweeted: "The police were there with their guns and did nothing." While @cdbammer added: "The problem is easy access to guns. Schools haven't changed."
"How much is enough? Should each school have a battalion or an army to stop one shooter? The problem is the guns." @bluemajenta added: "You know what needs to be done but you’re afraid of losing your NRA (National Rifle Association) allowance if you do it."
The gunman who massacred 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas warned on social media minutes before the attack that he had shot his grandmother and was going to target a school. Salvador Ramos, 18, used a semi-automatic rifle use to shoot pupils at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
However, the calls for extra security were answered across the USA. In Connecticut, where 20 children were among 26 killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, state police said they were sending extra troopers to schools, although no specific threats had been received.
“This assault on the most innocent of our citizens is deeply disturbing and heart-breaking,” said Connecticut state police colonel Stavros Mellekas. “At this time, our focus will be on protecting all school populations here in our state.”
Schools in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Virginia, Maryland and Florida were also among those increasing security and offering counselling. “Last night, I hugged my two kids a little tighter,” said New Haven mayor Justin Elicker.
“This morning, I gave them an extra kiss before sending them off to school. How many more must die in our schools, in our supermarkets and in our streets before the U. Congress acts to help address this carnage?”
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