Beto O’Rourke, former US representative for Texas’s 16th congressional district from 2013 to 2019, is eyeing the Texas governorship. He won the Democratic party’s primary in March with 90% of the vote. He will run against Governor Greg Abbott in November.

O’Rourke and Abbott are on opposite sides of many issues. Both have been outspoken about their views.

During a news conference following the Tuesday shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Beto O’Rourke interrupted Gov. Greg Abbott and confronted him as he approached the stage.

“You said this was not predictable, but this is totally predictable when you choose not to do anything. The time to stop the next shooting is right now, and you’re doing nothing,” O’Rourke shouted out.

He was told to “sit down” by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and others, but he persisted. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told O’Rourke that he was “out of line and an embarrassment,” and signaled to officers to stop him.

Mayor Don McLaughlin of Uvalde, where the shooting occurred, said, “Sir, you are out of line,” and shouted expletives, while attempting to have O’Rourke removed from the auditorium.

The mayor angrily accused O’Rourke of using the tragedy to further himself politically, and said, “I can’t believe you’re a sick s-o-b that would come to a deal like this to make a political issue.”

On his way out, escorted by police officers, O’Rourke pointed at Abbott on the stage and said, “It’s on you.”

Abbott continued his speech at the news conference, with words of consolation and sympathy for the public and his audience. He said, “We need all Texans, in this one moment in time, put aside personal agendas, think of somebody other than ourselves. Think about the people who are hurt, and help those who have been hurt.”

O’Rourke is well known as an advocate of gun control and has spoken about it in depth during his political career. He sought the nomination of the Democratic Party for President in the 2020 election and he is a popular figure across the nation.  He famously said, in his bid for the Presidential nomination, “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.” Many say that his views on gun control are hurting his chances in Texas, a gun-loving state. Polls show that he is running behind in his fight for the Texas governorship. 

Abbott has been clear about his views on gun control during his two terms as governor of Texas. He is seeking a third term. Last June, he signed into law measures expanding gun rights, including the right of Texans, 21 and older without a criminal record, to carry handguns in public without licenses. The law went into effect September 1, 2021.

Standing next to representatives of the NRA at the time, Abbott said, “Texas will always be the leader in defending the Second Amendment, which is why we built a barrier around gun rights this session.”

On Wednesday, Abbott’s views on the issue of gun control were clear when he said that Texas doesn’t need tougher gun laws, as it is “not a real solution” to the problem. 

Abbott said lawmakers and leaders should find ways to improve security in schools and provide better mental health services in Texas. Better security in schools includes arming teachers and staff. 

The shooting at the Robb Elementary School is the deadliest school shooting in Texas’ history and the worst shooting at a US elementary school since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 in Connecticut.