'Lives were saved': Trump praises Texas gun laws after Church shooting

After a church security officer shot de a gunman who killed two during a service, US President Donald Trump on December 31 said that gun laws in state of Texas saved lives. Trump tweeted praise for gun carry laws that enabled a former FBI nt-turned-volunteer security guard shooting on scene. Sonday's shooting was latest attack on a house of worship in US.

Trump in his tweet also praised parishioners for saving 242 lives. He wrote he was thankful that entire chaos was contained within 2 seconds. As per a law recently passed in Texas Senate bill 535 which was approved this past September, allows state residents to carry firearms openly in places of worship.

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Praises for Texas gun law

In a news conference following shooting, West Freeway Church of Christ Senior Minister Britt Farmer also praised Texas gun law. Likewise, Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, told media Monday that he hopes gun law that prevented furr carn at West Freeway Church will end up a model for or churches and states. He ded that law likely saved 'many people in church'. 

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Keith Thomas Kinnunen, 43, was identified as shooter who opened fire killing Anton 'Tony' Wallace, 64, and Richard White, 67,  who also was a volunteer security guard. attacker has a lengthy criminal record which includes arrests for ft and aggravated assault. Reports mention his ex-wife, who filed a protective order against him in 2012, called him a "religious fanatic" who claimed to be "battling a demon".

Former FBI nt-turned-volunteer security guard Jack Wilson told media that he returned fire inside West Freeway Church of Christ after gunman h alrey shot two parishioners.

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Disputes over gun law

re has been a sharp rise in shootings in US in recent years. Critics say guns are too reily available and that laws in Texas are among most permissible. Earlier at fall of session, Democrats demanded that Trump and his Republicans take action to restrict guns. On or hand, Senate Majority Leer Mitch McConnell told media he would only bring a gun bill to floor if it h presidential backing, but Trump has given clear preference.

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