Which of these Tarrant lawmakers received NRA support?

Survivors of the Florida school shooting have made it clear that they hope the tragedy at their school is the last one to happen.

In the wake of the shooting — where a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle was used to kill 17 and wound even more — many are calling for tighter gun control.

As marches and walkouts are planned across the country to pressure Congress into action, the Star-Telegram asked local lawmakers whether they would support a ban on assault weapons and if they receive donations from the powerful National Rifle Association.

A few responded.

Here's a look at who did and what we know:

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis: The longtime lawmaker whose district includes Arlington said he would not support a ban on semi-automatic weapons. "They won't work," he said. He said there are several ways to "minimize future shootings," including putting more money into mental health and counseling programs and giving law enforcers more authority to screen and watch people who "show signs of aggression or traits that might be leading indicators that the individual may be capable of something of this nature." He has an "A" rating from the NRA and has received at least $31,500 from the organization, according to a Washington Post database compiling NRA contributions since 1998.

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth: She has received at least $16,450 from the NRA and an A rating from the group in the past. Her office did not respond to the Star-Telegram request.

U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell: He has received at least $14,750 from the NRA and an A rating from the group. His office did not respond to the Star-Telegram request.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin: Williams, a Weatherford car dealership owner and former TCU baseball player, has received at least $6,500 from the NRA and an A rating from the group. He said he would not support a ban on assault weapons. "I am a staunch Second Amendment supporter and will not waver on that," he said. "I believe the solution to stopping school shootings is not to limit the rights of law-abiding gun owners, but to limit the ability of those who want to do harm to have access to our kids. I believe that Congress should explore all options to help better secure our schools including using the funding from the Department of Education to help local schools pay for it. This would dramatically impact the problem and make our schools safer."

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Pilot Point: He has received at least $16,650 from the NRA and an A rating from the group. His office did not respond to the Star-Telegram request.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth: He has an F rating from the NRA and his name did not show up as receiving any donations from the group. His office did not respond to the Star-Telegram request.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas: When his office was asked about the NRA and bans on assault weapons, staffers noted that the senator has been working on a bipartisan "Fix NICS Act" background check bill geared to boost compliance and encourage states to send criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check system. He has received at least $27,750 from the NRA and an A rating from the group.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas: He has received at least $11,900 from the NRA and has an A+ rating from the group. "Sen. Cruz agrees that we need to find solutions to prevent further mass shootings and he believes it can be done without stripping law abiding citizens of their constitutional liberties," according to a statement from his office. "First, Sen. Cruz believes it is critical that current laws on the books are enforced — something the previous administration failed to do. He is closely reviewing the various legislative proposals that are being debated, with an eye toward a solution that upholds the Second Amendment, while prosecuting people who attempt to illegally obtain firearms, addressing the fundamental mental-health causes behind so many of these tragedies, and ensuring that the failure to input criminal offense information in the background check database (which led to the Sutherland Springs church shooting) never happens again. All these measures were part of the bill he proposed with Senator Grassley in 2013. That bill had bipartisan support, but was unfortunately filibustered by a group of Democrats who cared less about preventing criminals from purchasing weapons and more about broad gun restrictions aimed at law-abiding citizens."

State lawmakers

The Star-Telegram also reached out to state lawmakers from Tarrant County, asking them the same questions.

Here's a look at the few who responded.

State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth: He said he has accepted contributions from the NRA, "and if they want to send me more, I'll take it." He said he opposes any ban against assault weapons. "I don't think that's the solution to the problem," he said. "The bad guys are still going to get the guns." Geren did say state lawmakers in 2013 passed the Protection of Texas Children Law that lets school districts across the state create school marshals — generally employees in that district who participate in extensive firearms and active shooter training — for campuses. "I think more school districts should allow it," he said. He received an A rating from the NRA.

State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound: She said she has accepted $3,500 from the NRA during her time in office, most recently accepting $500 in 2009. And she will continue to accept NRA campaign contributions. Nelson, who is the dean of the Tarrant County delegation, has an A+ rating from the NRA. She said she would not support a ban on assault weapons. "My heart aches for those who lost loved ones in this horrible tragedy caused by a psychopath whose violent intentions were known to authorities," she said. "We should keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the seriously mentally ill." She also said access to mental health services should keep growing and school security should be revisited.

State Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth: He said he does not and will not accept NRA campaign contributions. He has had a D ranking from the NRA in the past. "With the number and frequency of mass shootings in our country we must address the gaps in the current system," he said. "Gun shows, online gun sales, number of guns purchased by individuals within a given time period. Requirements of information gathering when re-selling a firearm. Guns could have a title similar to vehicles."

State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington: He has received an A ranking from the NRA. "What happened is absolutely horrible, and it keeps happening in gun free zones where shooters are safe to commit this reprehensible crime without fear of being stopped," he said.

State Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth: She said she hasn't received any money directly from the NRA and wouldn't accept it if the NRA offered it. "I would not support a complete ban on the sale of assault weapons but I would support a ban on the sale of most military-style assault weapons and bump stocks to the general public," she said. Collier, who received an F ranking from the NRA, last year asked House Speaker Joe Straus for an interim study on "the catastrophic issue of gun violence in Texas." She hasn't received a response.

State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie: He said he hasn't accepted NRA contributions and won't, but he does support reinstating a federal assault weapon ban. "The federal government should pass universal background checks, which would close the gun show loophole and ensure that firearms aren't being sold to those who should not legally possess them," he said. In the past, he has received a D ranking from the NRA.

NRA gathering

The National Rifle Association is hosting its 2018 annual meeting May 3-6 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

This story was originally published February 20, 2018 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Which of these Tarrant lawmakers received NRA support?."