Texas House Bill HCR167

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Urging Congress to pass legislation compensating the survivors and surviving families of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting for damages due to the failure of the U.S. Air Force to report the shooter's conviction to the FBI National Crime Information Center Database.

Impact

The bill is significantly focused on addressing the aftermath of the mass shooting by ensuring that those affected can receive the necessary financial support to cope with long-lasting injuries and the mental health challenges stemming from the attack. It points out that the Air Force's repeated failures to report the shooter’s disqualifying history to the FBI led to this tragic incident and emphasizes that survivors face ongoing struggles with medical expenses and emotional suffering without compensation. The resolution seeks to initiate a legislative response to provide relief to these survivors and their families.

Summary

HCR167 is a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would compensate the survivors and the surviving families of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting for damages resulting from failures by the U.S. Air Force. The bill highlights the tragic event that occurred in 2017, marking it as the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history, inflicted by a former Air Force member who was ineligible to possess firearms due to his conviction for domestic violence. It stresses that the shooter's conviction should have been reported to the FBI, which would have prevented him from acquiring weapons.

Contention

One key point of contention within the bill is the acknowledgement of the systemic failures within the U.S. Air Force, which has not only impacted the victims directly but also raises critical questions about accountability and reforms needed within military procedures regarding the reporting of disqualifying events to the appropriate databases. Opponents of the bill might argue about the implications of assigning responsibility for such failure and the broader political implications of military accountability, while supporters emphasize the urgent need for justice and compensation following breaches that led to public safety catastrophes.