After Texas Massacre, The State's Attorney General Calls For More Guns At Church

Willa Frej
Updated

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) views the deadliest mass shooting in his state’s history as evidence that more church parishioners should carry guns for self-protection.

“This is going to happen again,” Paxton told Fox News on Sunday, since “you can’t necessarily keep guns out of the hands of people who are going to violate the law.”

Devin Patrick Kelley allegedly opened fire during a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday morning, killing at least 26 people and wounding 20 others. He fled the scene and was found dead from a gunshot wound in neighboring Guadalupe County, Wilson County authorities said.

In the wake of a deadly massacre, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling for more armed security in churches and for allowing parishioners to carry concealed weapons into houses of worship. (Photo: Gabriella Demczuk via Getty Images)
In the wake of a deadly massacre, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling for more armed security in churches and for allowing parishioners to carry concealed weapons into houses of worship. (Photo: Gabriella Demczuk via Getty Images)

To support his argument, Paxton pulled out the National Rifle Association’s favorite talking point: “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”

“All I can say is in Texas, at least we have the opportunity to have conceal carry,” Paxton said. “There’s always the opportunity that the gunman will be taken out before he has the opportunity to kill very many people.”

Fox News anchor Eric Shawn pushed back, arguing that a firearm and the church are “two potentially diametrically opposed concepts.”

Paxton disagreed and called for more armed security guards in church or “at least arming some of the parishioners so they can respond to something like this.”

A new law that went into effect in September allows Texas churches to arm members of its congregations by hiring security companies or off-duty police officers.

Related...

Half The People Killed In The Texas Shooting Were Children

Devin Patrick Kelley's Former Classmates Say Texas Gunman Seemed 'Off' In Recent Years

People Fed Up With ‘Thoughts And Prayers’ Demand Action After Texas Church Massacre

Trump Says Deadly Texas Shooting Isn't A Guns Issue, It's A Mental Health Problem

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Law enforcement officials investigate a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. 
Law enforcement officials investigate a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. 
Members of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office stand just inside a taped-off area near the First Baptist Church.
Members of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office stand just inside a taped-off area near the First Baptist Church.
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church following a shooting on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church following a shooting on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church. 
Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church. 
A sign at the First Baptist Church. 
A sign at the First Baptist Church. 
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
A gunman killed 26 people at the church and wounded many more when he opened fire during a Sunday service. 
A gunman killed 26 people at the church and wounded many more when he opened fire during a Sunday service. 
View of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
View of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
A woman and her children take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs. 
A woman and her children take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs. 
Michaun Johnson attends a candlelight vigil.
Michaun Johnson attends a candlelight vigil.
Danny Barker, his wife Tomie and grandson Gage attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Danny Barker, his wife Tomie and grandson Gage attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Sofia Martinez, 9, attends a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Sofia Martinez, 9, attends a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Bailey Lejeaune and David Betancourt attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Bailey Lejeaune and David Betancourt attend a candlelight vigil after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church.
Local residents take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Local residents take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.