One year ago today, 19 students and two teachers were murdered, and 17 others were injured, at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde – it is the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook.

We’ve seen this story play out time and time again across America: a community torn apart as a result of lax gun laws that enable people who are filled with anger or hate to carry out horrific acts of violence.

But, progress is possible. In the aftermath of the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings last year, Americans came together to demand solutions to prevent future tragedies. President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, which strengthened background checks for buyers under 21, allocated funds for community violence intervention programs, and addressed gun trafficking and the intimate partner loophole. This is the most significant gun violence legislation we’ve seen in decades.

My bill, the STANDUP Act, is also currently being implemented to help identify and provide support for students who show concerning behavior. On days like today, the endorsements I’ve earned in elections past from leading gun violence prevention groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, Brady PAC, and Giffords are of particular importance to me because I will never turn my back on gun violence victims.

More must be done, at the federal level and in states like Texas, where leaders still refuse to take concrete action.

The bloodshed in Uvalde, and countless communities before and since, is a painful reminder of the work we still have ahead to make real change. Mass shootings in America will continue to be a daily reality until we find the courage to do so.

As we reflect on this somber anniversary, we must recommit to fighting for a safer future. Let’s honor their lives with action, and end the scourge of gun violence once and for all.

– Scott