About the publisher: Did law enforcement hunt down the suspect in the recent mass shooting in Texas, did this atrocity prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to enact more effective gun control laws?

Unlikely. Who can forget Abbott’s demagogic slogan in last year’s gubernatorial campaign? An article published in the July 20, 2022 print edition of The Times featured a photo of him posing smugly next to signs with a short, alliterative message: “God, guns, Greg.”

It was as if the GOP’s favorite god himself had blessed Abbott and his quest for virtually unlimited possession of ultra-lethal firearms.

So sad that Abbott and his fellow Republicans are turning to empty masses instead of proposing realistic solutions to the gun violence epidemic.

M. Edward Alston, Santa Monica

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About the editor: Abbott has rightly been criticized for calling the victims of a mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas, “illegal immigrants” in the same statement in which he expressed his condolences to their loved ones.

What’s wrong with him? It is an exaggeration, a totally disrespectful and unchristian act. Where is his heart?

Texans, it’s time for a big change. This is outrageous and totally unacceptable.

Richard A. French, Pasadena

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About the publisher: Abbott’s reaction to the recent mass murder in Texas isn’t as terrible as the fact that he’s still running for office. The first step towards responsible gun control is to stop electing politicians who don’t see gun violence as a disgrace to our country.

It’s no longer an embarrassment to them, it’s an embarrassment to us as Americans that we didn’t take a stand through our votes.

Doris K. Reed, Palm Desert