DALLAS – Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) released the following statement after reports that a student was arrested for unlawfully carrying assault style weapons in the Berkner High School school zone.

“Like so many parents across Texas, this morning as Aly and I dropped our kids off at school we worried about their safety after yesterday’s unimaginable tragedy in Uvalde. Chillingly, this fear nearly became a reality here in the 32nd District.

“I am so grateful to the North Texan who reported the suspect to the Richardson Police Department and to the brave officers who apprehended the suspect, preventing another heartbreaking tragedy.

“While we don’t know all the details of this incident, it is clear that we need to take steps to make sure that teenagers do not have easy access to weapons of war. If we don’t act, we are sending an implicit endorsement to those who seek to harm children and carry out senseless acts of gun violence.

“My heart goes out to all the students, teachers and families of Berkner High and other Richardson ISD schools who held their breath during a lockdown, not knowing if their school would be the next name synonymous with a massacre.

“But I know that the only real solace I can offer as a lawmaker is action. Action to make sure every child is able to go to school without worrying about gun violence and every parent is able to send their kids to school without wondering if they will come home.”

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