we will return with sarah tofte. urging just reported on the links between domestic violence and mass shootings. this is democracy now! we will be back in a minute. ♪ [music break] amy: this is democracy now!, democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. ofcontinue our coverage sunday's mass shooting at the first baptist church in sutherland springs, a tiny community east of san antonio, texas. the governor said it is the worst shooting in texas history. 26 people dead, 20 more wounded, including children, elderly, a pregnant woman, the suspect them in catterick kelly -- devin patrick kelley. he was jeffrey year for assaulting his wife in 2012, still able to legally purchase a military style assault rifle. our guests are in austin, texas, ed scruggs, vice chair and spokesperson for texas gun sense. philadelphia, we're joined by george ciccariello-maher, political science professor at drexel university and the author -- he was banned from campus after questioning why mass shootings in the united stat

and we are joined by sarah tofte is research director at everytown for gun safety. ed scruggs, your response to the shootings and what is allowed in texas. >> well, thank you for having me today. of course, it is a tragic time here in texas. this quite a bit of shock throughout the state, especially in small communities that the crime of this magnitude could occur. of course, our thoughts are with those families and the victims at this time. but part of what our organization is here to do is to remind folks that there are steps we can take and the discussion we need to have about ways to eliminate this type of violence and that no one is immune to this violence, whether l. rura in the s state of texas or any other state. here in texas, w what is allowed ---- it is rather r wide open in terms of gun ownership. in recent years, our state leadership has taken to loosening gun laws and basically any way they can. a few years ago, they legalized tampa scary. also legalized open carry of firearms. it has always been legal to carry long guns onon the strtre, or ading a sho