CNS News– In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, questions abound regarding the adequacy of Texas’ gun legislation. On Sunday afternoon, Gennesse Ivonne Moreno entered the church wielding an AR-15 and a .22 caliber rifle, unleashing chaos before being shot dead by off-duty officers. While the incident shocked the community, it also spotlighted gaps in gun control measures that may have facilitated Moreno’s access to firearms.
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner and HPD Commander Christopher Hassig, Moreno legally acquired an Anderson Manufacturing AR-15 rifle in December. Despite her criminal record and history of mental health issues, Moreno managed to purchase the weapon, raising concerns about the efficacy of background checks and eligibility criteria in Texas.
Moreno’s criminal history, spanning back to 2005, includes a range of convictions such as forgery, assault causing bodily injury, evading arrest, and unlawfully carrying a weapon. Despite these convictions, loopholes in the system seemingly enabled her to obtain firearms legally.
Under federal law, licensed gun sellers are mandated to conduct background checks, barring individuals convicted of felonies or domestic violence from purchasing firearms. However, weaknesses in enforcement and reporting mechanisms may have allowed Moreno to slip through the cracks.
Furthermore, Moreno’s history of mental health issues, including an emergency detention order in 2016 and reported schizophrenia medication use, raises questions about the adequacy of mental health evaluations in gun purchases. While laws exist to prevent those deemed mentally incompetent from acquiring firearms, the effectiveness of implementation remains uncertain.
Walli Carranza, Moreno’s former mother-in-law, highlighted the potential efficacy of “red flag” laws, which temporarily restrict gun access for individuals displaying dangerous behavior. Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston, has advocated for such legislation, believing it could have prevented the Lakewood Church shooting. Despite her efforts, Texas has yet to enact such laws, leaving a gap in preventative measures against gun violence.
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As the investigation into Moreno’s weapon purchase continues, advocates and lawmakers alike emphasize the urgent need for stricter gun control measures in Texas. The tragedy at Lakewood Church underscores the importance of comprehensive background checks, robust mental health evaluations, and proactive legislation to prevent future incidents of gun violence.