My 14-year-old son, Jaylen Supreme Moore, was tragically murdered by another juvenile who used his father's gun to shoot Jaylen square in his nose. The juvenile that killed my son was a life long family friend. The young perpetrator had easy access to the firearm, with several pictures on social media flaunting it. Despite this horrific event, the father, a school teacher, continues to teach without any legal repercussions. His son had a history of behavioral issues in and out of school that went unaddressed.

According to Texas Penal Code §46.13 (b) which states that "A person commits an offense if a child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm and the person with criminal negligence:

(1) failed to secure the firearm;  or

(2) left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access."

The punishment for this crime is only a misdemeanor per Texas Penal Code 46.13 (d) which states that "except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(e) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if the child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to himself or another person.

(f) A peace officer or other person may not arrest the actor before the seventh day after the date on which the offense is committed if:

(1) the actor is a member of the family, as defined by Section 71.003, Family Code, of the child who discharged the firearm;  and

(2) the child in discharging the firearm caused the death of or serious injury to the child."

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”

This tragic incident is not an isolated case but part of a larger issue plaguing our society due to lax parental responsibility laws in Texas. Currently, these laws only cover property crimes and do not extend their jurisdiction to violent offenses committed by juveniles using their parents' firearms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearms are the second leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. In 2019 alone, nearly 3,000 children and teens were killed with guns (source: CDC). This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for stricter parental accountability laws.

We demand that Texas lawmakers enact tougher legislation holding parents accountable when their children commit violent crimes using their firearms. Parents must be held responsible for ensuring that their weapons are securely stored away from children's reach.

By signing this petition, you will help us send a strong message to our legislators about the urgent need for change. Together we can prevent further tragedies like my son’s from happening again. Please sign this petition today.

FindLaw.com - Texas Penal Code - PENAL § 46.13. Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child - last updated April 14, 2021 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-46-13/