Amarillo City Councilman Cole Stanley released a statement earlier today criticizing Mayor Ginger Nelson’s signing of an open letter calling for gun control and reform measures.

As we reported on Tuesday, Nelson signed an open letter published by the Texas’ Big City Mayors coalition. The letter, signed by several other mayors across Texas, called on Greg Abbott to call a special session focussed on passing measures such as universal background checks, increasing the age to purchase assault weapons, red flag laws, increasing funding for mental health, and training school safety officers.

In a statement, Cole Stanley said “the Mayor does not speak for me nor does she represent my views on this subject.” He also stated that “thirteen mayors' opinions do not supersede the Bill of Rights” and that of the proposed measures, “only two have any merit in affecting public safety, those being additional mental health funding and armed school security.”

Stanley was especially critical of the red flag law proposal, stating that such laws “are a direct attack on our rights to defend ourselves and our families which are specifically protected by the Second, Fourth and Fifth Amendments.”

The Amarillo Pioneer reached out to each of the other members of Amarillo City Council for comment. As of the time of writing, none have responded or released public statements on the matter.

View Cole Stanley’s full statement below: