Late last week, 10 people were killed in a school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas. Now, the police chief in nearby Houston is speaking out about gun violence and the continued inaction of elected officials on the issue.
Chief Art Acevedo expressed his feelings in a Facebook post, first revealing that in dealing with another mass shooting of children, he's not ashamed to admit he's "shed tears of sadness, pain and anger."
"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 wrote in the post, adding that he doesn't want any of his Facebook friends who disagree with him to post any pro-gun arguments. "My feelings won’t be hurt if you de-friend me and I hope yours won’t be if you decide to post about your views and I de-friend you."
Acevedo continued, "I have never accepted the status-quo in anything I do and I’ve never accepted defeat. And I won’t do it now. I will continue to speak up and 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."
According to Slate, the police chief has a history of calling for action over mass shootings in the U.S. — but the one at Santa Fe High School in particular hit a nerve since it's close to home for him.
"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)," Acevedo wrote, concluding the post by wishing those that "move on" from his page the best.
Since sharing his message on Facebook, Acevedo told The New York Times he's received "overwhelming positive feedback." He added that both he and Houston's Mayor, Sylvester Turner, feel they have a "moral obligation" to speak up and protect their community.
"We’ve been speaking up for many years and will continue to do so for as long as it takes," Acevedo told the Times. "Mayor Turner and I know that ultimately together, pragmatic Americans and responsible gun owners, will be heard and will win the day."
