Before a debate between Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Uvalde families held a press conference focusing on gun reform. 

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Parents and families of the 19 children who were killed by a gunman at Robb Elementary in May urged Abbott to call a special session to raise the minimum age to purchase an assault weapon from 18 to 21. 

"I served in the Army National Guard; started in 2006 to 2012 with two tours to Iraq," said Felix Rubio, father of Lexi Rubio, who was killed in the Uvalde shooting. "I've held a weapon of war. It doesn't belong in homes, and especially not in the hands of an 18-year-old kid."