Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico employed the former leader of a protest movement known as “Cocks Not Glocks” to serve as his legislative aide, a role that included drafting gun control legislation. Ana Lopez helped Talarico craft three firearm restriction bills that he introduced in the state legislature in 2019, none of which were enacted.
Lopez assumed leadership of the “Cocks Not Glocks” movement at the University of Texas at Austin from founder Jessica Jin. The group gained attention in 2015 for protesting a state law that permitted licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons on university and community college campuses. According to reports, members of the group marched on campus with attire and banners that included explicit imagery and parodies of pro-Second Amendment slogans.
Jin, who started the movement as a social media joke, stated her intention was to give a voice to frustrated college students regarding campus safety. Lopez later became the co-founder of Students Against Campus Carry and authored a thesis on gun culture. During her tenure as a legislative aide to Talarico from January to May 2019, Lopez worked on bills aimed at ending concealed carry reciprocity in Texas, mandating background checks for firearm rentals at sport shooting ranges, and tightening gun license requirements.
Talarico has also advocated for stricter gun laws, criticizing policies that he argues have led to the proliferation of certain types of firearms on streets and in educational institutions. A spokesperson for Talarico stated that the candidate supports common-sense gun measures, such as universal background checks, while respecting Second Amendment rights, and aims to keep guns from dangerous individuals. The campaign has also drawn attention to Talarico's opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, regarding legal matters.