Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott was loudly booed by the crowd as he arrived at a memorial to honor the lives of those killed last week in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Abbott and his office have faced significant criticism following the murders of 19 children and two teachers, an event that has once again sparked a national conversation about gun control measures.
Video from the memorial shows that multiple people booed at Abbott and that others shouted at him, imploring him to do something.
You can watch what happened in the videos below.
\u201c#Happeningnow Crowd Boos Texas Gov Greg Abbott as he arrives at the memorial outside of Uvalde Elementary School.\n#Uvalde #Texas\u201d— Oliya Scootercaster (@Oliya Scootercaster) 1653842984
\u201cGreg Abbott gets booed by crowd and shouted at that we need change in our gun policies.\n\nDon\u2019t stop. \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\n\nhttps://t.co/M6OiTek0ac\u201d— Dan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Dan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1653847719
\u201cGreg Abbott rightfully booed arriving at the Robb Elementary School memorial in #Uvalde.\n\nI hope he can hear the boos from all over Texas and the country.\u201d— Lindsey #GetVaccinated and #WearADamnMask \ud83d\ude37 \ud83c\udf31 \ud83d\udef9 (@Lindsey #GetVaccinated and #WearADamnMask \ud83d\ude37 \ud83c\udf31 \ud83d\udef9) 1653842896
Abbott is widely considered responsible for loosening gun restrictions in the state of Texas, making it even easier for individuals to obtain assault-style weapons.
Authorities identified the shooter as an 18-year-old male who was a resident of Uvalde and a student at Uvalde High School. He purchased two semi-automatic rifles through a local gun store earlier this month, just days after his birthday.
Last year, Abbott signed a law that loosened gun restrictions, allowing individuals who are 18 years or older to legally purchase long guns, which include shotguns and rifles.
The response to Abbott's appearance lies in stark contrast to the warm welcome that President Joe Biden has received in Uvalde, coming after he consoled the victims and families of those who were killed by a White supremacist during a mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York earlier this month.
Many have heaped more criticism on him as the the toll of the shooting continues to be felt nationwide
\u201cGreg Abbott deserves to be booed everywhere he goes.\u201d— Harry Sisson (@Harry Sisson) 1653851742
\u201cIf any politician deserved to be booed at the memorial in Uvalde, Tex., on Sunday, it was Gov. Greg Abbott.\nhttps://t.co/kZxc7etOko\u201d— Jennifer 'I stand with Ukraine' Rubin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Jennifer 'I stand with Ukraine' Rubin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1654008212
\u201cCorrupt disgrace Greg Abbott was soundly booed by residents of Uvalde yesterday during his photo op visit at Robb Elementary. This was a failed attempt at drawing attention away from President Biden and First Lady Biden who were there to console and comfort. Vote for Beto.\u201d— Ricky Davila (@Ricky Davila) 1653945320
\u201cWhile Texas Governor Greg Abbott was soundly booed today in Uvalde, Texas when he visited a memorial for the families of the victims of the school shooting, President Biden was soundly cheered. The tide is finally turning, even in deep-red, small-town Texas. #NRAsucks #FlipTexas\u201d— Omar Rivero (@Omar Rivero) 1653867900
\u201cTX Governor Greg Abbott booed and humiliated attending the memorial service at the elementary school. This memorial service would not be taking place if it were not for him and the Republicans he works with who go above and beyond to arm nutcases.\u201d— Adam Parkhomenko (@Adam Parkhomenko) 1653865607
\u201cGreg Abbott showed up at Biden's appearance in Uvalde today. I don't know if he thought he would upstage POTUS or what. But when he rolled out the crowd of grieving families booed him. They begged Biden to help. They didn't boo him. They booed Abbott.\u201d— Mindy Fischer Writer (@Mindy Fischer Writer) 1653864256
\u201cSo Greg Abbott got booed. The state media enablers can't spin that one.\u201d— Down And Out Bad In DFW (@Down And Out Bad In DFW) 1653842943
\u201cGreg Abbott rightfully booed arriving at the Robb Elementary School memorial in #Uvalde.\n\nI hope he can hear the boos from all over Texas and the country.\u201d— Lindsey #GetVaccinated and #WearADamnMask \ud83d\ude37 \ud83c\udf31 \ud83d\udef9 (@Lindsey #GetVaccinated and #WearADamnMask \ud83d\ude37 \ud83c\udf31 \ud83d\udef9) 1653842896
Last week, Abbott sparked outrage after saying the mass shooting "could have been worse," adding that "Texans must come together and support the families who have been affected by this horrific tragedy."
Abbott also dismissed calls for stronger gun control laws while bringing up a conservative talking point about crimes in liberal urban centers, saying that "there are more people who are shot every weekend in Chicago than there are in schools in Texas."
