Houston Chief Of Police Makes His Stance On Guns Known: ‘I’ve Hit Rock Bottom’

For Art Acevedo, the time for ‘thoughts and prayers’ is beyond over

Last week, ten innocent people were killed when a gunman entered Santa Fe High School and opened fire. The school is located about 30 miles southeast of Houston. Hours later, Houston Chief of Police Art Acevedo shared his thoughts on this senseless tragedy and reminded everyone exactly where he stands on gun control.

“To all my Facebook friends. Today I spent the day dealing with another mass shooting of children and a responding police officer who is clinging to life. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve shed tears of sadness, pain and anger,” he wrote. “I know some have strong feelings about gun rights but I want you to know I’ve hit rock bottom and I am not interested in your views as it pertains to this issue.”

Acevedo, who took office in 2016, says he wouldn’t be offended if others don’t share his views, but he’s done worrying about “hurt feelings” when it comes to guns and gun laws. “Please do not post anything about guns aren’t the problem and there’s little we can do,” he said.

This isn’t the first time the police chief has spoken out about the need for stricter gun laws. After the mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead, Acevedo said inaction on gun control has “failed thousands of families,” tweeting: “When will we stand up and say enough?” US News reported. “We’ve failed thousands of families, of all ages, races and faith. Stand up and be heard.”

He went on to ensure the public that he’s not done speaking out on the matter and that he will “stand up for what my heart and my God commands me to do, and I assure you he hasn’t instructed me to believe that gun-rights are bestowed by him.”

It’s unacceptable that we’re here as a nation. Where we send our kids to school to get an education and wonder if theirs will be the next to be sent “thoughts and prayers” because a student with access to firearms decided today was the day. The worst part is our kids seem resigned to the fact that they well could be next.

“The hatred being spewed in our country and the new norms we, so-called people of faith are accepting, is as much to blame for so much of the violence in our once pragmatic Nation,” Acevedo continued. “This isn’t a time for prayers, and study and Inaction, it’s a time for prayers, action and the asking of God’s forgiveness for our inaction (especially the elected officials that ran to the cameras today, acted in a solemn manner, called for prayers, and will once again do absolutely nothing).”

In an email to the New York Times over the weekend, Chief Acevedo said both he and Mayor Sylvester Turner feel they have a “moral obligation to speak up and to take steps to protect the community we’ve taken an oath to serve and protect. We’ve been speaking up for many years and will continue to do so for as long as it takes,” he said.