Thread by @itsJenRamos

THREAD
TW: Domestic violence, gun violence

When I was 10, my mom remarried and relocated our family to Eagle Pass. When we moved, we discovered her husband was an abusive alcoholic.
He is also in the Border Patrol. 1/

For over a decade, my family lived under the silent terror of his abuse. He was physically, psychologically, and emotionally abusive to my mother and me when I tried to stand in his way to keep him from hitting her. 2/

He threatened her with his gun on numerous occasions. He once held my infant brother hostage after locking us out of the house. It was only when a neighbor finally called the police that Border Patrol got involved. 3/

He was allowed to not only stay as an officer but keep his gun. They tried to sweep my mother and I under the rug.
Outside of this, no one had any idea we were essentially being held hostage in our own home. 4/

Thankfully my family and I escaped the violence. We experienced trauma at the hands of firearms.

Not all families are as lucky as mine. Thousands of deaths happen as a result of firearms being given to the wrong people.5/

Permitless carry would enable unsafe circumstances and allow anyone to carry a firearm without the proper training. Laws in Texas are already weak on firearms. This type of legislation is an insult to survivors. 6/

To all legislators who vote in support of HB 1927 today, I hope you see faces like those of my family. I hope you realize that you are putting people in danger.

@RepMattSchaefer: blood will be on your hands, and I hope you realize the consequences.